Safeguarding Champions Bulletin October 2024

Welcome to October’s edition of the Safeguarding Champions Bulletin!

Please circulate the information in this bulletin across your networks to help us to continue to raise awareness of safeguarding adults in Tees

Learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SAR)

In the last Safeguarding Champions bulletin we shared Jack’s SAR.

Jack was a 20 year old White British male who died alone in a hotel room in January 2023. He was found knelt on the floor at the side of the bed with drugs paraphernalia present. No third party involvement was suspected. He had been placed in the hotel under the severe weather protocol having been no fixed abode. He was known to both Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough Council’s Safeguarding Teams. There were concerns regarding self-neglect due to mismanagement of his diabetes, substance use disorders and homelessness. He died from diabetic ketoacidosis.

Below we have included some useful resources when supporting adults who are experiencing homelessness or substance misuse:

Tools to support the screening of substances:

These screening tools can be used by professionals (as relevant to their role)

  • Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) – The AUDIT is a simple and effective method of screening for unhealthy alcohol use. The AUDIT can help identify alcohol dependence and specific consequences of harmful drinking.
  • Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) – The DUDIT is an 11-item self-administered screening instrument for drug-related problems, giving information on the level of drug intake and selected criteria for substance abuse/harmful use and dependence.

Policies, Procedures and Guidance

Professional challenge can be a positive activity and a sign of good professional practice, a healthy organisation and effective multiagency working. 

TSAB have recently refreshed the below documents. Please read and share within your organisation:

Recent Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) have highlighted a need for professional curiosity in safeguarding adults with care and support needs. TSAB have recently redeveloped the Professional Curiosity briefing to support practitioners with being more curious in their work.

The briefing will officially launch during National Safeguarding Adults Week, but we are giving our Safeguarding Champions early access….

Professional Curiosity Briefing

National Safeguarding Adults Week

During 18th – 22nd of November, TSAB will be taking part in National Safeguarding Adults Week to raise awareness of adult abuse and neglect and how to report concerns.

What can you do to help raise awareness of adult safeguarding in your communities?

During National Safeguarding Adults Week, we will be sharing free workshops and resources. Please keep an eye on our website for campaign updates and let us know how you get involved by emailing [email protected].

As part of National Safeguarding Adults Week, we are excited to invite you to a number of free webinars. BOOK NOW to secure your space!

Please forward this information to your colleagues.

Monday 18th November

10:30am- 12:00pm How to enable a professionally curious workforce (for managers only)

1:30pm – 3:00pm Professional curiosity – What does it really mean and how to be curious in your work? (for all other professionals)  

Tuesday 19th November

11:00am – 12:30pm Autism and Suicidality: Evidence and Best Practice

Wednesday 20th November

2:00pm – 2:45pm Building Resilience Against Fraud – Navigating Financial Abuse & Scams

Thursday 21st November

2:00pm – 3:00pm The role of Cleveland Police Complex Exploitation Team and Cuckooing –
what to look out for

Other sessions:

Our colleagues in Newcastle have also opened up two sessions for Teesside Professionals on Thursday 21st November.

1:00pm – 2:00pm Adults at Risk of Exploitation Research (hosted by Newcastle Safeguarding Adults Board)

2:00pm – 3:00pm Language and Victim Blaming (hosted by Newcastle Safeguarding Adults Board)

Further webinars held nationally can be found on our campaign webpage.

Have Your Say on Adult Safeguarding in Tees!

The Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board works in partnership with a wide range of organisations to safeguard and promote the wellbeing and independence of adults at risk of abuse and neglect (Safeguarding means “protect from harm”). Your views are important to us to help shape our work and protect communities. Please take a few minutes to fill in the survey.

Our survey is available for professionals and members of the public. Please share widely amongst your networks and where possible include in any internal/external publications, and encourage colleagues, service users and carers to complete.

Complete our Survey
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Service Spotlight: NERCCU

“We’re an Engagement Team made up of Police Officers and Police Staff in a regional team covering Northumbria, Durham & Cleveland police force areas. We are part of the National Fraud Protect Network. Our job is to develop and deliver ways to empower individuals and organisations into being more resilient against Fraud and Economic Crime.

We can offer various options of free police partnership; regular communication via being on a circulation list; contribution to magazines/publications/newsletters; access to leaflets/flyers/posters; attendance at events; interactive stalls; information sessions; staff training/CPD delivery and presentation/workshops.

A link to our website is below.”

www.nerccu.police.uk    

To work with NERCCU in your organisation or to receive up to date information on fraud, email [email protected].

Attend NERCCU’s upcoming webinar on 20th November – Building Resilience Against Fraud – Navigating Financial Abuse & Scams

a table with a white tablecloth and a white banner

A Spotlight on… Accessibility Tools

Accessible Information Standards

All Health and Social Care Services must follow the Accessible Information Standards by Law. It aims to make sure people with a disability or sensory loss/ impairment are given information they can understand, and the communication support they need. To improve service engagement and to prevent barriers to accessing services, it is important that all services ASK every client how their service can meet their needs.

Information in different formats

Information should be available in formats people can read and understand. This may include large print, easy read, braille, audio or via the support of interpreters such as British Sign Language. As a minimum, any text should be at least 12pt.

Lincolnshire Learning Disability Partnerships Board have developed a tool to help you to create Easy Read letters.

Communication cards/ health passports

There are a number of free resources online that you can adapt/ use, to support a person to communicate their needs with other professionals. You should also flag your own system to reflect any reasonable adjustments required.

Stroke Association

National Autistic Society: My Health Passport

The dos and don’ts of accessible design

The Government have a number of guides to support with best practice material designs for those with low vision, D/deaf and hard of hearing, dyslexia, motor disabilities, users on the autistic spectrum and users of screen readers.

Are you aware of any tools that can support with accessibility? Please let us know by emailing [email protected] and we can share these with the next bulletin.

Dates for the Diary

Listed below are details of recent and upcoming awareness campaigns. Follow us on Social Media @TeeswideSAB to keep up to date with resources and information we share as part of key campaigns. Email us at [email protected] to let us know how you get involved.

Did you know that one in three accidental home fire deaths are caused by smoking?

This October, join the 2.5 million people who’ve been inspired by Stoptober.

Many people try to quit smoking with will power alone, but it’s much easier to go smoke-free with the right help. There are lots of support options available to help people on quitting their journey.

Are you aware of the local services available in your area to support you or the people you are working with to stop smoking?

  • Hartlepool Stop Smoking Service – 01429 272905
  • Stockton Specialist Stop Smoking Service – 01642 383819
  • South Tees Stop Smoking Service – 01642 727590

For more information on Fire Risks and how to support those you work with to reduce fire risks, view TSAB’s Learning Briefing.

Anti-Slavery Day took place on 18th October and was an opportunity to raise awareness of the fact over 49.6 million people in the world today, and an estimated 122,000 people in the UK, are trapped in conditions of modern slavery.

Information and tools relating to on modern slavery:

Victim Care Pathway

The Victim Care Pathway (VCP) has been produced by the Police, Local Authorities, Health and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s). It is intended to be used by any agency identifying a potential adult victim of human trafficking to ensure immediate safeguarding prior to evaluating their suitability for a referral into the National Referral Mechanism or signposting to other suitable agencies.

It is regularly reviewed by Cleveland Anti-Slavery Network so if you identify any element that requires amending, please contact [email protected]

If you would like further information on the VCP please contact [email protected] and [email protected].

Reporting Modern Slavery

If you suspect modern slavery, report it to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or the police on 101.

In an emergency always call 999.

Don’t leave it to someone else. Your information could save a life.

ARCH are pleased to announce an event to launch the UN and Global campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. (https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism)

Arch Fest, taking place on 23rd November, will start with a walk of solidarity followed by an event to share music, stories, poems and ways to help challenge gender based violence against women and girls and the role everyone can play.

They invite survivors, friends, allies and professionals to join us as we walk from the entrance to the Middlesbrough Town Hall, at 3pm walking along to the Teesside Crown Court and passing by the library and fountains and finishing at the Courtyard Entrance for the Old Fire Station.

From there, they will bring together music, speakers and help shine a light on the power of survivorship, uniting in the campaign against violence against women and girls and demonstrate the strength in recovery.

Training, Workbooks and Further Resources

Training Courses

 To view and request a place on any of our upcoming training courses please visit
our Training Courses and Events page.

Upcoming courses include:

  • Making Safeguarding Personal
  • Adult Safeguarding – Complex Cases
  • Section 42 Enquiry Training – Level 1
  • Section 42 Enquiry Training – Level 2

E-Learning

The Adults & Children Safeguarding Partner Organisations across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees actively support the ‘Think Family’ approach and are committed to the continuous learning and development of all staff and volunteers working with vulnerable people: adults, children, young people and families.

Through our E-Leaning site you will be able to view, select and be given immediate access to a range of e-learning opportunities.

Workbooks

Workbooks provide a free, paper-based option for professionals to engage in learning. This is important, especially for those who may not have access to a computer.

The Workbooks modules are accessible via TSAB website.

Managers are responsible for signing off the workbook for their staff member, using the online Managers Guidance. To access the Managers Guidance, managers should contact the TSAB Business Unit for the password.

Further Information

Cleveland Fire Brigade and Council partners’ Stay Safe and Warm scheme is completely FREE and open to anyone living in Cleveland, no age restrictions apply.

It offers access to heaters and other equipment as required (following a free home assessment). So whether it’s a short-term issue such as a boiler breakdown or an ongoing heating issue they can help.

Speak to a member of the team by calling 01429 874063

For more information on the scheme and advice on how you can help keep people safe and warm this winter, visit Cleveland Fire Brigade’s website.

Read our Annual Report 2023-24.

“Welcome to the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board’s Annual Report for the period 2023-2024. The Care Act 2014 requires the Board to have a three-year strategic plan and report upon it annually. In this report you will find the agreed priorities of the Board and the updates on what the partnership has achieved together with our continuing efforts to improve the safety of our vulnerable people whilst preventing emerging issues….”

Want to learn more about your role as a champion? Visit our dedicated Safeguarding Champions Area for further information.

Don’t forget that TSAB has a dedicated webpage hosting details of local and national services.

Can’t see your service/ another service on there and think it should be added? Please send the details to [email protected].

Do you have concerns that an adult is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect?

Visit https://www.tsab.org.uk/report-abuse/ to find out how to report your concerns. The page hosts the TSAB Concern Form which should be completed and submitted to the relevant local adult social care service or alternatively you can contact them by using the contact numbers listed on the page.

As a reminder you should report abuse when:

  • The adult has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs)
  • And is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect