Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board

LSAB Learning Zone

LSAB Learning Zone

All of our Safeguarding Adults Courses are available to Private, Voluntary and Independent organisations and commissioned care providers in Lewisham.

Subscribe to our E-Bulletin to be among the first to find out about the Adult Safeguarding Training we offer. 

Please note:

All the learning events that the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board provide are free of charge to the delegate. However, a lot of time, resource, and public expense is used in planning and delivering these activities, so if you register, please make a full commitment to attending. If you do not, you may prevent someone else from being able to participate.

Please cancel your booking if your circumstances change or contact us by email as soon as possible so that a replacement can be considered.

Repeat non-attenders may be barred from registering for our events in the future.

Safeguarding Adults Training+

Online Adult Safeguarding Foundation Level Training Sessions

The aim of these online sessions is to provide an introduction to adult safeguarding by outlining the legal framework, definitions and principles that are used, and by explaining the content of the Lewisham Adult Safeguarding Pathway which includes key local and national resources.

This is for new staff or volunteers, or for those needing a refresher on this subject. The training is led by Martin Crow, LSAB Business Manager.

Our online training is held on the Microsoft Teams platform.

Our in person training is held at Civic Suite, Catford Road, Catford

Wednesday 20 March 2024 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Wednesday 15 May 2024 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Wednesday 10 July 2024 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Wednesday 4 September 2024 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Wednesday 6 November 2024 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Wednesday 8 January 2025 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Training for Adult Safeguarding Leads or Managers (non-statutory sector)

These sessions are for those who have leadership or managerial responsibility (including supervisors/ first line managers) for adult safeguarding within their organisation, but is not for Council, NHS or Police staff who are involved in delivering statutory safeguarding enquiries.  

These sessions will focus on the Adult Safeguarding Principles, Legal Literacy (including information sharing and mental capacity), Safeguarding Literacy, Professional Curiosity, and the Lewisham Adult Safeguarding Pathway in a leadership context; whilst also examining supervision, documentation and record keeping. Delegates will also consider how they can improve their organisational policies, procedures and overall approach to this subject. This is led by Martin Crow (LSAB Business Manager). 

Wednesday 17 April 2024 10:00am to 15.30pm Online Book Here

Wednesday 24 July 2024 10:00am to 15.30pm Online Book Here

Monday 21 October 2024 10:00am to 15.30pm Online Book Here

Monday 20 January 2025 10:00am to 15.30pm Online Book Here

Modern Slavery - Awareness Raising

These online sessions are at Foundation Level and are suitable for any professional (including local businesses) who are new to the subject or who needs to refresh their knowledge. The objectives are:

  1. To gain an understanding of the definitions of modern slavery.
  2. To develop your ability to identify potential victims of modern slavery using common indicators of exploitation.
  3. To improve your understanding of victim-centred referral mechanisms for potential victims.

This is led by Martin Crow (LSAB Business Manager) supported by local practitioners.

Monday 29 April 2024 10am - 12.30pm Book your ticket

Monday 22 July 2024 10am - 12.30pm Book your ticket

Monday 14 October 2024 10am - 12.30pm Book your ticket

Tuesday 14 January 2025 10am - 12.30pm Book your ticket

Adult Safeguarding Awareness Training for Community Groups

A shorter and simpler version of our adult safeguarding awareness training aimed at smaller grass root community organisations. Delivered in an evening to make this more accessible for those that may not be able to attend training during office hours. This is also suitable for members of the public, and particularly for those who may employ personal assistants for their home care. This is led by Martin Crow LSAB Business Manager.

Tuesday 18 June 2024 18:00 - 20:00pm Book your ticket

Tuesday 8 October 2024 18:00 - 20:00pm Book your ticket

Tuesday 28 January 2025 18:00 - 20:00pm Book your ticket

Familial Domestic Abuse

Target Group - Any professional working with children and young people in the Borough of Lewisham
Training provided by Athena Service, Refuge on Microsoft Teams

Aims and Objectives
• Definition of domestic abuse
• Spotlight on defining abuse within a family context
• Impact of abuse on victims
• Identifying and addressing risk
• Lessons learnt from national and local DHRs
• Your role as a professional to safeguard victims: Recognise, Record and Refer!
• Local referral pathway for victims to access support (Athena, run by Refuge)

Delegates are responsible for ensuring they have management / budget holder approval prior to booking onto courses. This is in the event of your non-attendance or late cancellation where a fee of £75 will be applied. Also, you need to register with LSCP in order to book the event.

LSCP Event Management System User Guide

LSCP Learning Partnership Learning Terms & Conditions

Thursday 14 March 2024 12:00 - 14:00pm Online Book Here

Drumbeat School and ASD Service 

Understanding and Supporting a Neurodivergent Profile

Following their recent successful training event, Drumbeat School and ASD Service has made their Understanding and Supporting a Neurodivergent Profile resource booklet available to everyone. 

Read and download the Understanding and Supporting a Neurodivergent Profile resource booklet.

Adult Safeguarding Workbooks+

We are pleased to bring you the first two workbooks in our series on adult safeguarding.

  1. Introduction to Adult Safeguarding Workbook - March 2023
  2. Modern Slavery Awareness Foundation Level Workbook October 2023

The roll-out of further Workbooks in this series will be linked to specific strands of adult abuse and neglect, and other adult safeguarding related subjects.  

e-Learning+

There are lots of benefits to e-learning including personalised learning and you are not bound by geography or time.

Alcohol Change UK Webinar's

National Trading Standards

This resource has been designed to assist professionals and practitioners who will be interacting with victims of scams, this includes but is not limited to; social workers, community nurses, volunteers and befrienders. The e-Learning will give you an understanding of the scale of the problem of scams, an insight into the behaviour of the criminals behind scams, an understanding of the legislation that can be used to support scam victims and to prosecute criminals behind scams, and practical advice on how best to support a victim of scams.

Practitioner E-Learning Course

Zero Suicide Alliance

Zero Suicide Alliance provide a range of awareness training options, which provide a better understanding of the signs to look out for and the skills required to approach someone who is struggling, whether that be through social isolation or suicidal thoughts. 

Home Office PREVENT e-learning

The Home Office have produced introductory e-learning training on PREVENT.

The training offers an introduction to the Prevent duty, and explains how it aims to safeguard people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.

The training provides an important foundation on which to develop further knowledge around the risks of radicalisation and the role that you can play in supporting those at risk.

This training addresses all forms of terrorism and non-violent extremism, including far right wing and Islamist extremism threatening the UK.

This learning package uses an interactive mix of video, paper, and screen based exercises.

Who Cares UK

Everyone who commissions or provides regulated health and social care services that are publicly arranged and/or funded is legally bound to comply with the Human Rights Act 1998. This means that these organisations must act in ways which respect and protect the human rights of service users, such as the right to life or the right to private and family life.
 
Video-based training modules have been developed by Who Cares UK with funding from the Equality and Human Rights Commission to create a better understanding among those working in health and social care of the human rights of people with various disabilities.
 
The modules are aimed at frontline health and social care staff but may also benefit anyone working with disabled people in a paid or unpaid capacity. 

Self-Neglect and Hoarding Resources+

Learning from Human Stories about Self-neglect - Webinar - Friday 8 December 2023

Here you can find the slides and handout from the Learning from Human Stories about Self-neglect webinar held by Professor Michael Preston-Shoot.

Here you will find the resources from all of the Self-neglect and Hoarding Training held by the LSAB

Read the LSAB Self-neglect and Hoarding Policy and Procedures.

SCAMS Information and Advice+

image of a Scammer

New! Scams Easy Read Booklet

This booklet was made by Lewisham Speaking Up on behalf of the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board.

Read and download the Scams Easy Read Booklet

What is Fraud

Fraud is when a person lies to you, or ‘scams’ you, to gain an advantage, such as taking your money or learning private information about you.

This could be by email, text, phone or in person, either on the street or on your doorstep.

Criminals are turning to more sophisticated ways to take your money, whether through online offers, emails or telephone calls.

Scams affect the lives of millions of people across the UK. People who are scammed often experience shame and social isolation as a result.

With a little knowledge you can protect yourself from fraudsters.

Watch out for Scams like these

  • Banking Fraud
  • Cash Machine Fraud
  • Cheque Scam
  • Holiday Fraud
  • Identity Theft
  • Online shopping Fraud

Watch this video from the Metropolitan Police Service on online shopping fraud

  • Impersonation Fraud

Watch this video from the Metropolitan Police Service on Impersonation Fraud

  • Investment Fraud

Investing in stocks and shares or any other commodity can be a successful way of making money. However, it can also lead to people losing their entire life savings. Fraudsters will persuade you to invest in all kinds of products. They will offer you high rates of return, particularly over longer periods of time, which often do not exist.

Common products that will be offered include binary options, virtual currency, carbon credits, wine, rare metals, gemstones, land and alternative energy. Often, initial investments will yield small returns as an incentive to invest further funds. However, larger investments or cashing out will be met with excuses or a penalty charge. Eventually contact with the fraudster will be impossible and all funds and bogus returns lost.

Fraudsters are organised and they may have details of previous investments you have made or shares you have purchased. Knowing this information does not mean they are genuine.

Criminals may direct you to well-presented websites or send you glossy marketing material. These resources do not prove they are a genuine company. Many fraudulent companies have a polished customer image to cover their illegal activities.

It is relatively easy to register a company with Companies House. This does not confirm or endorse that they can provide genuine investments. Indeed, emerging investment markets may be unregulated, making these open to abuse.

  • Invoice and Mandate Fraud
  • Payment in Advance Fraud
  • Purchase Scam

Companies may be registered at prestigious addresses, for example Canary Wharf or Mayfair. This does not mean they operate from there. It is an accepted business practice to rent such a virtual office to enhance a business’s status. However, fraudsters are also aware of this and exploit it. The fraudster may put pressure on you by offering a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ or claim the deal has to be done quickly to maximise profit.

In addition - be wary of companies that offer to ‘recover’ any funds you have lost to any sort of investment scam. They may be linked to the company who initially defrauded you in the first place and may be targeting you again. This is known as ‘Recovery Fraud’.

How to protect yourself

  • There are no get rich quick schemes. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
    Genuine investment companies will not cold call you. Be extremely wary of anyone who does.
  • Research both what you have been offered, and the investment company. Speak to Trading Standards if you have concerns.
    Before investing, check the Financial Conduct Authority register to see if the firm or individual you are dealing with is authorised (https://register.fca.org.uk/)
  • Check the FCA Warning List of firms to avoid.

REMEMBER - Don’t be pressured into making a quick decision.

CAUTION - Seek independent financial advice before committing to any investment.

THINK - Why would a legitimate investment company call me out of the blue?

  • Rental Fraud

Sometimes, criminals advertise properties to rent when these properties don’t belong to them, or even don’t exist! Victims are then tricked into paying an upfront fee to rent the property.

In reality, the property does not exist, has already been rented out, or has been rented to multiple victims at the same time. The victim loses the upfront fee they have paid and is not able to rent the property they thought they had secured with the payment. Rental fraudsters often target students looking for university accommodation.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Do not send money to anyone advertising rental properties online until you are certain the advertiser is genuine.
  • If you need to secure accommodation in the UK from overseas, seek the help of the employer or university you are coming to, or get a friend, contact or relative to check the property exists and is available.
  • Do not pay any money until you or a reliable contact has visited the property with an agent or the landlord.
  • Ask for copies of tenancy agreements and any safety certificates such as Gas Electricity or HMO Licence.
  • Do not be pressurised into transferring large sums of money. Transfer funds to a bank account having obtained the details by contacting the landlord or agent directly after the above steps have been followed. Be sceptical if you’re asked to transfer any money via a money transfer service like Western Union.
  • Romance and Dating FraudRomance Fraud Image

Dating online is now one of the most popular ways for new couples to meet, with millions of people finding new relationships, romance and love this way. Unfortunately, amongst the genuine profiles are fake profiles set up by fraudsters. They are after your money, not your love. They are masters of manipulation, playing on your good nature and emotions to ultimately steal your money.

Criminals will build a relationship with online members, quickly asking to move communication off the dating website. This is so they can continue their contact with you, even if their profile is later identified by the site as fraudulent and subsequently deleted.

Fraudsters are often very flattering, appearing really interested in you within a short space of time. However, they will use a range of excuses as to why they can’t meet in person, such as they are stuck overseas, have a family emergency or have an issue with their business. They then start asking for money to help with their problems, assuring you they will pay it back as soon as they can. The fraudster may claim to be desperate to meet you as soon as this obstacle is overcome. This is all a scam and their true intention is to take as much money from you as they can.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Stay on site.
  • Keep all communication on the dating website you are using. Don’t be convinced by profile pictures, they may have been taken from somewhere else on the internet. You can check photos using a reverse image search on the internet through websites like https://www.tineye.com or https://reverse.photos
  • Do your own research on the person – are they members of any other social networking sites? Can you confirm what they are telling you about themselves, such as where they work or where they live?
  • Never send money to someone you have not met in person and be extremely wary of giving money to someone you have recently started a relationship with.
  • Be wary of anyone asking you to receive money on their behalf and transfer it on. They may be using you to launder money.
  • Talk to family and friends for advice, even if the other party is asking you to keep the relationship secret.
  • Watch Metropolitan Police's video on Romance Fraud

REMEMBER - Stay on site! Never send money to someone you have not met in person, or receive/ transfer money on their behalf.

CAUTION - Be wary of continuing the relationship away from the dating website you initially made contact on.

THINK - Why are they so quick to declare their love for me? How do I know they are telling me the truth?

  • Doorstep Crime and Scams

Stop and think

Remember:

Your bank, the police, or tax office will never ask you to attend your bank, withdraw, transfer or pay money over the   phone or send couriers to collect your card or cash. Nor would they ask you to buy goods or vouchers.

This is a scam.

Hang up (Never give details or money following a cold call)

Take 5 (Seek a second opinion, tell someone what has happened)

Verify (if concerned, contact the company via a pre-confirmed method)

Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team initiative, which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to "Take a Stand Against Scams".

Friends Against Scams has been created to tackle the lack of scams awareness by providing information about scams and those who fall victim to them. This information enables communities and organisations to understand scams, talk about scams and cascade messages throughout communities about scams prevention and protection.

Friends Against Scams encourages communities and organisations to take the knowledge learnt and turn it into action.

Friends Against Scams Easy Read Resources Webpage

https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/easyread

Anybody can join Friends Against Scams and make a difference in their own way.

Become a friend

If you would like to be a Friend Against Scams you can attend a short awareness session in person or complete the online training.

After this session you will be asked to start taking action to "Take a Stand Against Scams". 

Click here for more information.

Take Five Campaign

Beware if you receive a text message purporting to be from a trusted organisation such as your bank – can you be sure it’s genuine?

It is a good idea to follow the advice from Take Five

STOP

Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

CHALLENGE

Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

PROTECT

Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

Ten golden rules to prevent fraud

Remember these ten golden rules to help you prevent fraud and beat the scammers.

  1. Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes.
  2. Don’t agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before making a decision.
  3. Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s.
  4. Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with.
  5. Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it.
  6. Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email.
  7. Don’t just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company’s success.
  8. Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment.
  9. If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help.
  10. Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you'll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.

Get help or report a scam

If you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at Action Fraud.

Call the Police on 101 if you know the suspect or they’re still in the area.

Reporting crime, including fraud, is important. If you don’t tell the authorities, how do they know it’s happened and how can they do anything about it?

Remember that if you’re a victim of a scam or an attempted scam, however minor, there may be hundreds or thousands of others in a similar position. Your information may form part of one big jigsaw and be vital to completing the picture.

lewisham council logo

Scams Prevention Advice and Support From Lewisham Council

The Neighbourhood Watch and Scams Prevention Officer can provide support if you have been the victim of a scam. They can also give advice and talks on how to prevent scams, and discuss any concerns you have about scams.

Other useful Information

Age UK Avoiding Scams Guide

Crimestoppers Romance Fraud e-Booklet

Change People.org Keeping-Safe-Online-Easy-Read-Guide

Scam Marshals - play a role in helping National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team to stop scam mail (friendsagainstscams.org.uk)

Social Housing Providers+

Social housing and safeguarding

All social housing providers must have appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place for tenants who have care and support needs. The Care Act 2014 requires you to support and train your staff.

See our Adult Safeguarding Training section above for information on free e-learning, courses available in Lewisham and other learning opportunities.

Housing Related Safeguarding Summit December 2023

The second annual Housing Related Safeguarding Summit was held 14 December 2023. The Summit was very well attended with representation from all Lewisham Social Housing Providers and local health and social care services. For those who were unable to make it on the day, a recording of the Summit is below. 

The presentations from the Summit are available for you to read and download.

New analysis: How your home affects your health. Moving to healthy homes

Housing Related Safeguarding Audit July 2022

The aim of this Audit was to examine cases where an adult was living in uninhabitable conditions that may have posed a risk to their health or wellbeing, and to ascertain what the adult safeguarding response was, or could have been, in these instances.

The key objective of the audit was to draw out learning to inform the development of best practice in Lewisham, between the council, housing providers and other relevant agencies. The auditor was also asked to identify and draw learning from any potentially discriminatory practice.

Read the full report to find out more.

Housing Related Safeguarding Audit July 2022

Adult Safeguarding for Housing Staff

SCIE has produced an introductory video on Adult Safeguarding for housing staff.

A guide for staff on promoting sexuality, relationships and consent in housing with care services

Written by Dr Adi Cooper – City & Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board

This guide focuses on older people, sexuality, intimacy and relationships in housing with care. It looks at non-sexual and sexual relationships and individual sexual behaviour. This is not an easy subject and each case is unique, but this guide aims to steer you through how to respond and think about situations of this nature. Just because a person is old, it does not diminish their desire for companionship, intimacy and love and yet often this basic right may be denied, ignored or stigmatised. Older people in housing with care who wish to and are capable of expressing choice, should be supported to develop or maintain any relationship of their choosing. 

Guide to Common Safeguarding Words and Phrases+

Safeguarding is a large and complex topic. Sometimes the language used regarding safeguarding can be confusing and difficult to understand. Here we have given you simple explanations to common safeguarding words and phrases.

A

Abuse - Abuse is the breaching of someone’s human and civil rights by another person or people. It may be a repeated or single act; it can be unintentional or deliberate and can take place in any relationship or setting. It includes: physical harm, sexual abuse, emotional and psychological harm, neglect, financial or material abuse, and harm caused by poor care or practice or both in institutions such as care homes. It may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person being abused.

Adult at risk - Anyone aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves due to age-related frailty, visual or hearing impairment, severe physical disability, learning disability, mental health problem, substance misuse or because they are providing care for someone else and therefore may be at risk of harm and serious exploitation.

Alleged perpetrator(s) or Person/ organisation alleged to have caused harm or risk - Anyone who has been accused of abusing or neglecting an adult at risk, where this has not yet been proved.

Alleged victim(s) - Adult at risk, who may have been abused, harmed or neglected by someone else, where it has not yet been proved that they are a victim.

Assessment – An assessment is conducted in the workplace or care environment to ensure that the needs of adults are met competently.

Advocacy – Advocacy refers to speaking or acting on someone else’s behalf, in their best interests. For instance, an adult with learning difficulties may rely on an advocate to help them to put across their wishes or feelings on a certain subject.

ADASS – Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. ADASS was set up to help, advise, and advocate for adults that require social services support.

B 

Barred List – The barred list is a register of people’s names and details who are banned from working in contact with adults at risk or children. The barred list is held and maintained by the DBS and is revealed when an Enhanced with barred list DBS check is carried out.

Basic DBS check – The lowest level of DBS check, which searches an individual’s criminal record and returns details of unspent convictions only. Any individual can request a basic DBS check for themselves, without going through a business or organisation. 

Best Interests Decision – The result of a process of deciding whether an action is in the best interests of an individual that lacks the mental capability to decide for themselves, according to the criteria set out in the Care Act 2014. The best interest decision considers present or past wishes of the individual, lasting power of attorney, or input from relatives, carers, or other advocates.

C

Carer – Refers to a person who looks after an adult. The role of a carer is either a paid position, an official voluntary role, or undertaken by a relative or friend.

Child Abuse – A term used to describe violent, abusive, or threatening behaviour or neglect towards any person under the age of 16. 

Care Act 2014 – The Care Act aims to ensure the wellbeing of people in need of care and support services. It also aims to bring about the personalisation of care services, putting the person at the centre of the process.

Community Safety – A term used to describe all of the available services in a local community that help to improve health and safety. Some of the main focuses of community safety is to reduce anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.

Clinical Governance – An NHS framework designed to make sure that high standards of care are delivered across the board.

Commissioners - People who purchase services, often from voluntary and independent sector organisations, to provide health and care services.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) - Independent regulator of health and care services in England. CQC inspects providers such as hospitals, dentists and care homes to ensure the care they provide meets government quality and safety standards.

D

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) - Rules that ensure special protection is given to people who cannot make a decision (‘lack capacity’) to consent to care or treatment (or both) that will be given in a care home or hospital and stops them doing what they want to do (‘deprives them of their liberty’). The hospital or care home has to get special permission to give the care or treatment and must make decisions that are in the person’s ‘best interests’.

DBS – Disclosure and Barring Service. Set up in 2012 to replace the CRB (criminal records bureau), the DBS is in charge of overseeing and processing applications to search individual’s criminal records. The result of a DBS check helps employers and organisations to decide whether people are fit for the role in question, especially if it involves working in contact with groups of people who may be more at risk. A DBS check can be applied for online through this website.

Domestic Abuse – A term used to describe violent, abusive, or threatening acts or behaviour towards any person over the age of 16. 

E

Enhanced DBS check – The highest level of DBS check, which can be requested alone or with details of the DBS barred list too. An enhanced DBS check reveals spent and unspent conviction, cautions, warnings, reprimands, and any relevant police notes that are kept on file. The type of jobs that require enhanced DBS checks are teachers, doctors, nurses, and care workers.

G

GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation. GDPR is an EU and EEA law that protects individuals from intrusive data collection or use by organisations. It is relevant to safeguarding as sensitive data may be kept on people at risk and is managed in accordance with GDPR guidance.

H

Health and Wellbeing Board - Forums that bring together key health and social care leaders to work in a more joined-up way to reduce health inequality and improve local wellbeing. They will listen to local community needs, agree priorities and encourage health and social care commissioners to work better together to meet local needs.

Healthwatch - Is the independent consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public. Healthwatch plays a role at both national and local level and makes sure that the views of the public and people who use services are taken into account.

Harm – Harm refers to any situation or action that can potentially damage or compromise an individual’s physical, emotional, social, or intellectual security or development.

I

ICS - Integrated care systems (ICSs) are partnerships that bring together NHS organisations, local authorities and others to take collective responsibility for planning services, improving health and reducing inequalities across geographical areas.

M

Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005) - A law that supports and protects people who may be unable to make some decisions for themselves (people who ‘lack capacity’) because of a physical or mental disability or ill-health. It includes a test professionals can perform to tell whether someone can make decisions or not. It covers how to act and make decisions on behalf of people who ‘lack capacity’. It is often used for decisions about health care, where to live and what to do with money.

N

NHS – National Health Service. The NHS provides healthcare to residents of the United Kingdom and accessible to all and free at the point of entry.

P

Partner Agencies - Organisations that are members of the Safeguarding Adults Board.

Public Interest – A term used to describe whether an action is justified as being beneficial for the public to find out about it or to experience it. In other words whether the action can be considered to have been taken in the “public interest”. The news media follows guidelines that decide whether releasing sensitive information is in the public interest.

R

Radicalisation – Describes the process of an individual being drawn into a radical and extreme belief system that condones violent or threatening behaviour to achieve a group’s stated cause. For example, a radicalising influence may try to recruit people from at risk groups to a hate-fuelled ideology that encourages acts of terrorism. To prevent radicalisation the UK government introduced the PREVENT strategy in 2007 which sets out to stop people being recruited to become a terrorist or support terrorism. 

S

Safeguarding – A term that covers all and any activities related to protecting an individual’s right to safety and security.

Safeguarding Adults - All work that enables adults at risk to retain independence, wellbeing, choice and to stay safe from abuse and neglect.

Safeguarding Adults Review - An SAB must arrange a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) when an adult in its area dies as a result of abuse or neglect, whether known or suspected, and there is concern that partner agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult. SABs must also arrange an SAR if an adult has not died but the SAB knows or suspects that the adult has experienced serious abuse or neglect.

Safeguarding Concern (Adult) - A Safeguarding Concern is when the local authority is first told that an adult at risk may have been abused, is being abused, or might become a victim of abuse. Anyone can raise a Concern: professionals, family members, adults at risk and members of the public. Often a Concern is raised because of a feeling of anxiety or worry for an adult at risk. This feeling can arise because the adult at risk has told you what they are experiencing, you have seen abuse or something risky happening, or you have seen other signs and symptoms such as bruises.

Safeguarding Enquiry – Also known as a “section 42 enquiry” after section 42 of the Care Act 2014. An enquiry is the action taken or instigated by the local authority in response to a concern that abuse or neglect may be taking place.

Service providers - Organisations that deliver health and/or social care services.

Service user - A person who is a customer or user of a service particularly used in relation to those using social care services.

Standard DBS Check – A mid-level DBS check that provides details on spent and unspent conviction, warnings, reprimands and cautions. A standard DBS check must be requested on behalf of an individual by an organisation and can be applied for online.

U

Unpaid Carer - Family, friends or neighbours who provide unpaid support and care to another person. This does not include those providing care and support as a paid member of staff or as a volunteer.

V

Vital Interests – A term to describe the sharing and dissemination of private data and information when it is imperative to protect an individual or group from serious harm, distress, or threat to their lives.

Terminology and Acronyms

Find out more about the common terminology and acronyms used in safeguarding adults.

Common Acronyms

ACE – Adverse Childhood Experiences

ADASS – Association of Directors of Adult Social Services

ASC – Autistic spectrum conditions

CQC – Care Quality Commission

CSE – Child Sexual Exploitation

CSP – Community Safety Partnership

DA – Domestic abuse

DBS – Disclosure and Barring Service

DHR – Domestic homicide review

DoLS – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

DSP – Designated senior person

DV - Domestic violence

EI – Early intervention

FGM – Female Genital Mutilation

FMU – Forced Marriage Unit

IDVA - Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

IMCA – Independent Mental Capacity Advocate

IMHA – Independent Mental Health Advocate

LA – Local Authority

LAC – Looked-after child

LPA – Lasting Power of Attorney

LSAB - Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board

MAPPA – Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements

MARAC - multi-agency risk assessment conference

MASH – Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs

MCA – Mental Capacity Act 2005

MSP – Making Safeguarding Personal

OPG – Office of the Public Guardian

PALS – Patient Advice and Liaison Service

PIPOT – People in positions of trust

PoT – Position of Trust

SAB – Safeguarding Adults Board

S42 Enquiry  – An enquiry is the action taken or instigated by the local authority in response to a concern that abuse or neglect may be taking place.

SAR – Safeguarding Adults Review

SI – Serious Incident

TAF – Team around the family