Resources and guidance

Safeguarding Signs to look for during the Covid-19 Pandemic

A HM Government leaflet detailing what kind of signs to look out for to protect both children and adults at risk of harm and abuse can be viewed here. 

Elder Abuse Awareness

Elder abuse is a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person. Elder abuse can take various forms such as financial, physical, psychological and sexual. Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board is pleased to share the video and leaflet below to raise awareness of Elder Abuse.

Elder Abuse Awareness Day Leaflet v3.pdf

Pressure Ulcers and the interface with a Safeguarding Enquiry Safeguarding Adults Protocol

This protocol from the Department of Health and Social Care helps practitioners and managers across health and care organisations to provide caring and quick responses to people at risk of developing pressure ulcers. It also offers a process for the clinical management of harm removal and reduction where ulcers occur, considering if an adult safeguarding response is necessary.

Making Decisions on the Duty to Carry Out Safeguarding Adults Enquiries

The Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have produced a framework to offer support in making decisions about whether or not a reported safeguarding adults concern requires an enquiry under the Section 42 duty of the Care Act (2014).

Suicide Bereavement

Suicide Bereavement UK
Suicide Bereavement UK provide resources for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide, for professionals supporting them and for anyone with a personal or professional interest in suicide bereavement support here.

The National Suicide Bereavement Report 2020: From Grief to Hope
One of the government priorities ‘to provide better information and support to those bereaved or affected by suicide’. However, knowledge and understanding of effective postvention support is limited in the UK. The University of Manchester, in collaboration with Support After Suicide Partnership have completed a study aimed at addressing this knowledge gap, to help inform and guide policy and practice in this newly developing field. Read the full report here and view BBC News item on the report here.

National Competency Framework for Safeguarding Adults

This framework sets out minimum standards a professional should seek to demonstrate in practice when safeguarding adults.
National Competency Framework for Safeguarding Adults – comprehensive version
National Competency Framework for Safeguarding Adults – concise version

Care Act

Care Act 2014 Statutory Guidance
The legal framework for the Care Act 2014 is supported by this statutory guidance. It provides information and guidance about how the Care Act works in practice. The guidance has statutory status which means there is a legal duty to have regard to it when working with adults (with care and support needs) and carers. 

Mental Capacity Act

Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice
The legal framework provided by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is supported by this Code of Practice, which provides guidance and information about how the Act works in practice. The Code has statutory force, which means that certain categories of people have a legal duty to have a regard to it when working with or caring for adults who may lack capacity to make decision for themselves. 

National Centre for Post-Qualifying Social Work and Professional Practice Guidance
The National Centre for Post-Qualifying Social Work and Professional Practice have produced the following guidance related to the Mental Capacity Act:
Guidance on the use of the Mental Capacity Act for decisions regarding clinical treatment and care: An introduction
Mental Capacity Act requirements for clinical decisions regarding treatment and care
Mental Capacity Act requirements when an individual lacks the mental capacity to consent to treatment and care
National Mental Capacity Act Competency Framework

Advocacy
Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) are a safeguard for people who lack capacity to make some important decisions. The IMCA role is to support and represent the person in the decision-making process. Essentially they make sure that the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is being followed.

Information about the IMCA service provided by NCompass: IMCA Hub Professionals Leaflet.pdf

Liberty Protection Safeguards (Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act)

Liberty Protection Safeguards Guidance
The Department of Health and Social Care have produced guidance in relation to the key changes introduced by the Liberty Protection Safeguards planned to come into force in April 2022.

Human Rights Act

OSAB Adult Safeguarding & Human Rights One-Page Guide
The Human Rights Act 1998 sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that everyone in the UK is entitled to. It incorporates the rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic British law. This One-Page Summary highlights the four articles that you need to be aware of in relation to safeguarding adults at risk: OSAB Adult Safeguarding & Human Rights One-Page Guide.pdf

Modern Slavery Act

Modern Slavery Act 2015 Statutory Guidance
The legal framework provided by the Modern Slavery Act 2015 is supported by this statutory guidance. The guidance describes the signs that someone may be a victim of modern slavery, the support available to victims, and the process for determining whether someone is a victim and how to support them.

More resources coming soon