Safeguarding Adults Policy Statement

Our vision for Adult Safeguarding in Gateshead is:

'Everyone in Gateshead has the right to lead a fulfilling life and should be able to live safely, free from abuse and neglect – and to contribute to their own and other people's health and wellbeing'

The Care Act 2014 has enshrined in law the principles of Safeguarding Adults, which will not only ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are afforded appropriate support and protection, but will also help them to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible.

In Gateshead, we have a history of strong and effective safeguarding adult partnership arrangements. The Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board remains committed to ensuring that our Multi-Agency Policy and Procedures are fully embedded and remain fit for purpose. The Board have worked hard to ensure that they are Care Act compliant and have demonstrated via internal and independent scrutiny that we deliver quality services.

A corner stone of the Care Act is the general responsibility placed on all local authorities to promote wellbeing. Significantly, the Care Act emphasises the importance of beginning with the assumption that the individual is best placed to judge their own wellbeing. The rights of the individual to be heard throughout the safeguarding adults process are a critical element of the drive towards Making Safeguarding Personal – ensuring that safeguarding adults is person-led and outcome focused. In Gateshead we strive to ensure that the adult is at the heart of safeguarding by structuring our support systems around them.

When abuse or neglect occurs, it must to be dealt with swiftly, effectively and proportionately. The Care Act also introduces a general principle that there should be cooperation between public organisations and all those concerned in the care and support of and the provision of health and health-related needs of their local population. Safeguarding is Everyone's Responsibility.

The prevention of abuse and neglect must be a key priority for all agencies. Everyone should work together to ensure that practice is carried out with dignity, respect, compassion and choice. The prevention of abuse and neglect relies on developing and maintaining a culture where poor practice can be challenged and addressed and that the needs and rights of the Adult are always considered and promoted.

All organisations should produce their own single agency safeguarding policies and procedures that should be followed if they become aware that an adult has experienced, or is at risk of experiencing, abuse or neglect. The responsibilities of all staff, volunteers and organisations, include ensuring that:

• All staff and volunteers know when to report concerns to managers and know how raise concerns with the local authority where appropriate;
• All staff and volunteers are made aware of their respective organisation's whistleblowing policy and are given information on when and how this policy can be used;
• The organisation, its staff and volunteers work in partnership with other agencies to meet the safeguarding needs of the Adults;
• Information is shared between agencies in accordance with information sharing policies and protocols;
• The organisation keeps its own records in relation to safeguarding concerns, actions taken, and any outcomes;
• Senior representatives of the organisation support the Safeguarding Adults process including attendance and participation at professional meetings and planning meetings as required;
• Decisions are reached in line with the principles of Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the associated Code of Practice.