Next of kin
A common misconception prevails among both the general public and health and social care professionals regarding the significance of being designated as the "next of kin." It is important to dispel this myth.
The term "next of kin" lacks any legal standing and carries no special authorities or responsibilities. Frequently, we encounter this term in the realm of healthcare and social services, often one of the initial enquiries when someone registers as a new patient. In this context, "next of kin" should be understood as the designated point of contact.
Once it is clear that "next of kin" holds no legal weight, it becomes evident that there are no set rules dictating who can assume this role. Occasionally, disputes arise concerning the designation of "next of kin," such as in the case of an unmarried partner. The choice of "next of kin" is entirely at the discretion of the patient or service user, as they nominate the individual they wish to serve as their primary point of contact.
Next of Kin (nottinghamshire.gov.uk)
Non-fatal strangulation became an offence under the Domestic Abuse Act (2021). It is estimated that there are over 20,000 survivors (of all genders) who experience non-fatal strangulation in the UK each year. Non-fatal strangulation is not about inflicting maximum force on the survivor, it is about power, control and instilling fear. Experiencing non-fatal strangulation can cause long term physical and psychological effects as well as trauma for the survivor.
The below animation below has been created by system partners across health, social care, community partners and specialist domestic and sexual abuse services to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of non-fatal strangulation and where support can be sought.
NHS Nottingham & Nottinghamshire - Non-fatal strangulation
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- The Board met in person on Thursday 5 October 2023.
- The Board Manager confirmed that the Board’s Annual Report has now been drafted and sent for final proof-reading. Work is being undertaken to analyse data and the completed Partner Assurance Tools, but the Report is on target for completion and publication.
- The Board Manager provided a brief report on the initial analysis which has taken place on the completed Partner Assurance Tools. Full analysis will have taken place by the Board’s Development Day which takes place in January.
- The Board Manager outlined the plan for Safeguarding Adults Week which takes place in November, including a number of events which will be offered.
- Updates were provided in relation to the recent work of the Communications Sub-Group, the Learning and Development Sub-Group, the Quality Assurance Sub-Group (including Safeguarding Data), and the Safeguarding Adults Review Sub-Group
- A representative of Nottinghamshire Police gave a presentation to update the Board on various aspects, including “Right Care, Right Person” and the “Vision of the New Chief Constable”.
- A representative of Nottinghamshire Police spoke to the Board to gather support from the Board on work to review Domestic Homicide Reviews and draw out themes.
- A representative of Nottinghamshire Police updated the Board on the Prevention Hub and its work.
- A representative of the Integrated Care Board provided an update on the work of the Closed Culture Task and Finish Group set up following the Panorama Report on Edenfield.
- Various agencies provided updates to the Board on “Winter Readiness” and the plans in place to mitigate against pressures.
Safeguarding Adults Week, facilitated by the Ann Craft Trust, is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. The aim is to highlight safeguarding key issues, facilitate conversations and to raise awareness of safeguarding best practice. So we can all be better together.
The theme for Safeguarding Adults Week 2023 is ‘Safeguarding Yourself and Others’.
Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Adults Board is pleased to be able to share with you our upcoming programme of events for Safeguarding Adults Week, featuring a range of guest presenters covering a variety of topics relevant to safeguarding adults in Nottinghamshire.
Please use the links included to book yourself on to any of the online events free of charge. We look forward to seeing you there!
NSAB: 10-minute briefings:
These 10-minute online briefings are designed to provide a short and concise overview a safeguarding topic. These sessions are aimed at non-social care professionals who still have a large part to play in preventing and reporting abuse and neglect in Nottinghamshire.
9am – Making Safeguarding Personal Book online via Eventbrite
Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) is an approach to safeguarding adults which supports a person-centred, outcome-focus to safeguarding work, and a range of responses to support people to address concerns.
10am – Professional Curiosity Book online via Eventbrite
Professional curiosity is a combination of looking, listening, asking direct questions, checking out and reflecting on information received and accepting it at face value.
1pm – Self-neglect Book online via Eventbrite
The Care Act 2014 introduced new cate-gories of abuse, one of which is self-neglect: this covers a wide range of behaviour; neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings, and includes behaviour such as hoarding.
2pm – Mental Health Crisis Book online via Eventbrite
In 2019, the Office of National Statistics reported a total of 5,691 deaths by suicide in England and Wales at a rate of 11.0 per 100,000 population.
3pm – Autism Book online via Eventbrite
According to research, approximately 70% of autistic young people experience mental health issues, and between 40-50% meet the diagnostic criteria for two or more psychiatric conditions, with internalising conditions such as depression and anxiety most common.
4pm – Exploitation, mate crime, cuckooing Book online via Eventbrite
People with learning disabilities, autism, mental ill health and older people are particularly vulnerable to ‘mate crime’: abuse by those they regard as friends.
10am – 2pm Bassetlaw General Hospital
Safeguarding Awareness Stand providing resources and support to patients and colleagues.
1-12.30pm NSAB: Understanding Safeguarding Concerns
This course has been developed to offer support, guidance, and clarity to you in your role as the person responsible for making Safeguarding Adults referrals within your organisation.
The overall aims of the session are to enable delegates to understand:
- What constitutes a safeguarding adults concern
- Evidence- based decision-making in relation to safeguarding adults concerns
- What makes an effective safeguarding adults referral
- How to use the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Multi-Agency Procedures and Pathways
Book online via Eventbrite
1.30 - 4.30pm NSAB: MARAC Training – Equation
This online webinar presented by Equation will have an in depth look at the MARAC and DASH RIC process and will provide interactive learning and an opportunity for discussion.
- Learning outcomes:
- Domestic Abuse and Risk
- Completing a DASH RIC - key considerations
- Referral to MARAC
- What is a MARAC?
- Overview of specific risks - including strangulation, suicide and coercive control
- Brief overview of learning from DHR's
Book online via Eventbrite
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10-11.30 NSAB: DBS Disclosure Workshop
If you work with the Adult workforce with vulnerable people, you will know how important it is to apply for the right level of DBS checks for staff working with vulnerable adults.
Session objectives:
- Understand the benefits of DBS and your organisation working together
- Understand the different levels of DBS checks
- Understand the filtering guidelines
- Understand when an employee is eligible for a check
- Understand the DBS Update Service
- Understand what Regulated Activity is
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2pm – 3.30pm NSAB: DBS Barring Workshop
DBS plays an important part in the safeguarding environment and maintains the Children and Adult’s Barred List on behalf of the government. An individual can be placed on the barred list if they are deemed to be a risk of harm to either or both the children’s or adult’s workforce and are then legally from barred from working in relevant positions.
Session objectives:
- Understand Barring processes at the DBS
- Understand when a DBS Barring referral should be made, including when the legal duty is met
- Understand how to make a good quality Barring referral
- Understand what Regulated Activity is
- Understand what ‘Relevant Conduct’ and the ‘Harm Test’ is
- Have a clear understanding of the potential consequences of not making appropriate Barring referrals and the consequences of being included in one or both Barred Lists.
10-10.30am ICON seminar
ICON: Prevent abusive head trauma in babies by raising the awareness of how parents and carers can be supported to cope with a crying baby.
Delivered by Debbie Rees-Pollard and Colleen Biltcliffe – Named Midwives for Safeguarding at DBTH
10am – 2pm – Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Safeguarding Awareness Stand providing resources and support to patients and colleagues.
2 - 4pm - NSAB: Think Carer – Dan Godley
This Carer’s briefing, facilitated by Dan Godley, is aimed at those working with adults with care and support needs who have carers in an informal capacity.
This session will help you to understand:
- The recently published Joint Carer’s strategy
- Prevention and early intervention to prevent carers stress
- Carers accessing support when dealing with complex and challenging behaviours
- What support should you be offering carers?
Book online via Eventbrite
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10am – 11am Bruising in non-mobile babies webinar
Delivered by Anne Lundy and Kim Armistead – Specialist Nurses for Safeguarding Children at DBTH
If you would like to attend, please email the team
1 - 2pm NSAB: Keynote Speech – Adopting a Trauma informed approach to Safeguarding Adults- Lisa Cherry
We are delighted to have Lisa Cherry giving a keynote speech around adopting a trauma-informed approach to safeguarding adults.
Lisa is an author, researcher, leading international trainer and consultant, specialising in assisting schools, services and systems to create systemic change to the way that we work with those experiencing and living with, the legacy of trauma. Lisa has produced multiple pieces of research for various settings and Lisa’s own MA research looked at the impact on education and employment for care experienced adults who experienced school exclusion as children in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Currently, Lisa is coming to the end of her DPhil research at The University of Oxford in the Department of Education, asking the research question “How do care experienced adults who were also excluded from school make sense of belonging?”
Book online via Eventbrite
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2.30pm - 4.30pm NSAB: Trauma-informed training session
This session, facilitated by Steph Hunter from Trauma Informed Consultancy aims to help you:
- Understand what is a trauma-informed (TI) approach?
- Understand the link between trauma-informed approach and safeguarding adults/ making safeguarding personal
- Understand how trauma affects people
- Understand why a TI approach is good for the adults we work with
- Understand the impact of working with people with trauma and explore strategies for self-care
- Understand how to implement a TI approach in safeguarding adults work
- Take away practical tools to enable future working in a trauma-informed way
10am – 2pm – Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Safeguarding Awareness Stand providing resources and support to patients and colleagues.
9am – 12pm NSAB Partnership event
This year’s partnership event will have a focus on national safeguarding adults board thinking, and co-production. If you would like an invite to this year’s online event, please email the safeguarding strategic team
10am – 2pm - Mexborough Montagu Hospital
Safeguarding Awareness Stand providing resources and support to patients and colleagues.
3-3.30pm - Domestic Abuse Awareness webinar
Delivered by Sean Humphreys and Caitlyn Porter – Domestic Abuse Liaison Officers at DBTH
If you would like to attend, please email the team.
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