Practice Guidance and Resources

Guidance for professionals on responding to people with complex needs or circumstances who do not require an adult safeguarding enquiry under Section 42 the Care Act (2014), or where it has been determined that a non-statutory enquiry is not required.

The Adult Safeguarding Risk Decision Making Tool (formerly Adult Safeguarding Risk Assessment Tool) is designed to assist practitioners in considering:

• the vulnerability of the adult at risk and the seriousness of the abuse that is occurring; and
• the impact of the abuse and the risk of it recurring.

It is not designed to determine further actions, but rather to provide guidance and key considerations for practitioners who are assessing and managing risk. Practitioners should always seek advice from agency Safeguarding Leads when unsure what action should be taken in relation to concerns they may have. Safeguarding procedures should be used to not only react to significant harm occurring, but also to prevent it from occurring where there are clear indicators of vulnerability and risk.  Careful assessment of past information may indicate that although significant harm has not occurred on this occasion, it is highly likely to in the future.  Therefore, a multi-agency response following safeguarding procedures is the best course of action.

This service monitoring checklist sets out examples of potential indicators for concern within provider settings. The areas of care listed may highlight that care is neglectful and could be harmful to residents.

The following appendices have been published separately to the main document:

• Appendix G:  Local Authority Raising Concerns Planning Meeting Agenda
• Appendix H:  Local Authority Raising Concerns Planning Meeting Template
• Appendix I:    Local Authority Safeguarding Enquiry Review Meeting Template

A framework and process for responding to allegations and concerns against people working with adults with care and support needs

This guidance outlines what county lines (and associated criminal exploitation) is, signs to look for in potential victims, and what to do about it.

This document explains the need to share information to support the functions of the Safeguarding Adults Board in Somerset and includes a useful flow chart of when and how to share information

The checklist below lists the type of information to think about at the initial stage of responding to a safeguarding concern: