Lewisham Adult Safeguarding Pathway

I wholeheartedly support the Adult Safeguarding Pathway in Lewisham.

Safeguarding Adults Reviews in Lewisham and nationally regularly highlight missed opportunities to refer adult Safeguarding Concerns and to conduct adult Safeguarding Enquiries. The Pathway provides comprehensive guidance for all those working in and around adult safeguarding. It offers a framework for the prevention of abuse and neglect, including self-neglect, and for protecting individuals who have experienced or are at risk of abuse and neglect.

The Pathway has been informed by, and indeed references good practice guidance that has been published by the Local Government Association in partnership with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. The Lewisham Pathway therefore encapsulates the best evidence available for effective adult safeguarding. Accordingly, I encourage every agency in Lewisham to use the Pathway and the associated documentation, and link in with the work and training delivered by the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board. 

I thank everyone who has contributed to the continuous development of the Pathway. It forms such an important component of the jigsaw of policies, procedures, practice and services that are designed to keep people safe.

Professor Keith Brown                                                                                                                  

Independent Chair                                                                                                                                                  

Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board 

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In this section of the website you will find all the local guidance, tools and forms you need to raise an Adult Safeguarding Concern, and for relevant practitioners to conduct an Adult Safeguarding Enquiry.

This supports each of the four stages outlined in the London Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.

If you also have any feedback on the Pathway, or want to generally share good practice including anonymised case examples of how you have helped to support adults in achieving positive outcomes, then please let us know and we will share and promote this via our regular e-Bulletins and training: LSAB@lewisham.gov.uk

Concerns Stage 1: Advice for Submitting an Adult Safeguarding Concern 

1. You need to recognise if what you are seeing or hearing is potential abuse or neglect

There are many forms and ways that adult abuse and neglect can occur, so we should not be constrained by definitions and terminologies. Adult abuse is also often complex involving more than one type of abuse occurring at any one time.

However, the most common forms of abuse are:   

Physical abuse +

Domestic violence or abuse +

Sexual abuse +

Psychological or emotional abuse +

Financial or material abuse +

Modern slavery +

Discriminatory abuse +

Organisation or institutional abuse +

Neglect and acts of omission +

Self-neglect +

2. Talk to the adult (unless it is not safe to do so)

Think about how you ask questions and how you can improve your understanding of a person's life circumstances: Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board - Professional Curiosity

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Safeguarding Principle - Protection

What does this means for the professionals: Adults are offered ways to protect themselves, and there is a co-ordinated response to adult safeguarding.

What does this means for the adult: "I am provided with help and support to report abuse. I am supported to take part in the safeguarding process to the extent to which I want and which I am able".

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2.1 If the adult does not wish to report the abuse: Are they in immediate danger or risk of serious harm?

Has a crime been committed? If so, and the adult is in immediate danger or risk of serious harm, then this should be reported to the Police immediately. Help to keep the adult safe until the Police respond. The adult does not need to give their consent under these circumstances due to ‘vital interest’ considerations (immediate danger or risk of serious harm).

Is the adult experiencing a mental health crisis? If so then see this webpage for further advice on how to respond and Get Help with Mental Health  

How to Report Your Concerns About an Adult

Are others, including children in immediate danger or risk of serious harm? If so, then this should be reported to Police immediately, and consideration also give to reporting this to Children’s Services. Help to keep the child safe until the Police respond. The adult(s) does not need to give their consent under these circumstances due to ‘public interest’ considerations (others, including children are in immediate danger or risk of serious harm). 

How to Report Your Concerns About a Child

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults most at risk of abuse and neglect is a shared responsibility. The ‘Think Family’ approach should be used by all practitioners who should consider the needs of the whole family, including young carers, taking into account family circumstances and responsibilities. Existing professional relationships should be viewed as a chance to identify risk, refer to colleagues in other services, and to use targeted support to help prevent problems from escalating and therefore potentially limiting harm.

Refer to the: The Think Family page where you will find the Lewisham Think Family Protocol, the Think Family Practice Guidance and resources.

2.2 Consider if this matter meets the Section 42 (1) criteria within the Care Act 2014 as a Safeguarding Concern: 

a. do I have reasonable cause to suspect that the adult has needs for care and support; and

b.do I have reasonable cause to suspect that the adult is at risk, or, experiencing abuse or neglect. 

It must be noted that the third criteria (c) under the legal duty for a Section 42 Enquiry (1) is not relevant 'for the referrer' at the Concern Stage. This is for the local authority to determine, but referrers should pass on any evidence to help support decision making. 

c. as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it. 

LGA/ADASS Guidance on What Constitutes a Safeguarding Concern - Sept 2020

Local Government Association - What Constitutes a Safeguarding Concern: FAQ's

If this is not a crime and these criteria appear to have been met, then speak to the adult to get their views on the Safeguarding Concern or the incident. It is always best to support the adult in reporting abuse themselves. Find out what they want to happen next. 

If a decision is made not to refer to the Local Authority the individual agency must make a record of the concern and any action taken. Concerns should be recorded in such a way that repeated, low level harm incidents are easily identified and subsequently referred. 

Not referring under safeguarding adults’ procedures does not negate the need to report internally or to regulators/commissioners as required, and if care providers are using this guidance, it is important to note that all Safeguarding Concerns must be notified to the Local Authority. 

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Safeguarding Principle - Empowerment

What does this mean for the professionals: Adults are encouraged to make their own decisions and are provided with information and support.

What does this mean for the adult: "I am consulted about the outcomes I want from the safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens".…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............................

If this criteria does not appear to have been met, but you are unsure, then you must seek further advice including from the Local Authority. How to Report Your Concerns About an Adult

If you are certain that this criteria has not been met, then consider what other pathways, options or services could be used to help support this adult, including providing relevant information? Record your decision-making in relation to this subject in an appropriate manner.

3. Seek the adult’s consent to submit a Safeguarding Concern to the Local Authority

Seek the adult’s consent to submit the Safeguarding Concern and explain this may mean that several agencies may gain access to their personal details:     

• Read The Caldicott Principles. These are relevant if you work in health and social care. 
• Also see Information Sharing page which is full of advice, guidance and the local Information Sharing Agreement. 
• Does the adult have the mental capacity to consent to the Safeguarding Concern being submitted now?
• Is there a need to provide statutory advocacy: Advocacy 7 Minute Briefing March 2023
• Is there any possibility that the adult has/ is suffering from any type of coercion, control, threat, duress or pressure from another person(s) which may mean they refuse consent?
• Does mental capacity (including executive capacity) need to be assessed or reviewed? For more information read: Decision Making and Mental Capacity (NICE Guidelines), Supported decision-making toolkit for people with communication difficulties Practicable steps for people with communication difficulties and Oldham SAB's Executive Functioning Guidance
• Give due regard to the adult’s views and wishes, including their desired outcomes, even if Best Interest Decisions have been made linked to the Mental Capacity Act. For more information read: Local Government Association - Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit including on the six Safeguarding Principles and Alcohol Change UK Cognitive Impairment Guide and Alcohol Change UK How to use legal powers to safeguard highly vulnerable dependent drinkers guide.
• If the adult does have the mental capacity to consent to the Safeguarding Concern being submitted, but refuses, professionals must be careful that they consider how to keep the adult safe. This may be particularly relevant in domestic abuse cases if they continue to submit the concern. The adult must be informed that a Safeguarding Concern has been submitted, unless it is unsafe or impractical to do so.
• A Safeguarding Concern can still be submitted without the adult’s consent if ‘vital’ or ‘public’ interest considerations apply (see 2.1 above). For more information read: LGA/ADASS Guidance on What Constitutes a Safeguarding Concern - Sept 2020
• If the adult meets the safeguarding duty criteria, and is at risk of significant harm, and it is deemed they do have the mental capacity to refuse consent and to not engage with any Safeguarding Enquiry, then the local authority should consider seeking legal advice and the use of the Court of Protection, and or Inherent Jurisdiction: 39 Essex Chambers: Guidance on Use of Inherent Jurisdiction 

4. Gather as much information as possible

Having spoken to the adult (as above) and determined their views, wishes and desired outcomes. Also gather as much information as possible from other relevant sources and documentation:

• Does anyone else need to be informed or involved, including the nominated safeguarding lead in your agency, before progressing to submitting a Safeguarding Concern?
• Are there any other internal policy or procedural requirements within your agency?
• If you unhappy about how your organisation is dealing with a Safeguarding Concern do you know how to escalate this, which could include the use of a Whistleblowing Policy?

Help to keep the adult safe until the Local Authority respond.

Professionals should read the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures (pages 61-66) for further information on this subject, using the checklists and good practice guidance that is provided.

5. Submit the Adult Safeguarding Concern

• Ensure all of the relevant fields in the Safeguarding Concern Form are fully completed with as much detail as possible, and submitted correctly using the contact details outlined in the link below. The Safeguarding Concern Form is also included on the weblink below.
• You should receive receipt of this and be kept informed of progress.
• If you do not receive any feedback on progress you should follow this up with the Local Authority involving your organisational lead if required.
• If the Safeguarding Concern does not progress and you feel the appropriate steps have not been taken to reduce or remove the risk to the adult, then you might consider challenging this decision. Read the Inter-Agency Escalation Policy July 2023 for further information. 

This links to the subject of Professional Curiosity as it is good practice to respectfully challenge safeguarding decisions that you believe are not appropriate read more on Professional Curiosity. 

6. Allegations against People in Positions of Trust (PiPOT)

The Local Authority’s 'relevant partners' (outlined in the Care Act), and those providing universal care and support services, should have clear policies for dealing with allegations against people who work, in either a paid or unpaid capacity, with adults with care and support needs. 

Where such concerns are raised about someone who works with adults with care and support needs, it will be necessary for the employer (or student body or voluntary organisation) to assess any potential risk to adults with care and support needs who use their services, and, if necessary, to take action to safeguard those adults.

If the allegation and the circumstances of it matches the criteria outlined in this pathway, then the guidance for submitting a Safeguarding Concern to the Local Authority should be followed. The guidance for the Local Authority in conducting Safeguarding Enquiries (on the following pages) outline the possible outcomes that may be relevant in such cases. 

Whilst the focus of safeguarding adults work is to safeguard one or more identified adults with care and support needs (adult at risk), there are occasions when incidents are reported that do not involve an adult at risk, but indicate, nevertheless, that a risk may be posed to adults at risk by a person in a position of trust.

• Examples of such concerns could include allegations that relate to a person who works with adults with care and support needs who has:
• Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed an adult or child (this could include their own family members).
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, an adult or child.
• Behaved towards an adult or child in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to adults with care and support needs.

When a person’s conduct towards an adult may impact on their suitability to work with or continue to work with children, this must be referred to the Local Authority’s Designated Officer (LADO). 

Employers, student bodies and voluntary organisations should have clear procedures in place setting out the process, including timescales, for investigation and what support and advice will be available to individuals against whom allegations have been made. Any allegation against people who work with adults should be reported immediately to a senior manager within the organisation. Employers, student bodies and voluntary organisations should have their own sources of advice (including legal advice) in place for dealing with such concerns.

If an organisation removes an individual (paid worker or unpaid volunteer) from work with an adult with care and support needs (or would have, had the person not left first) because the person poses a risk of harm to adults, the organisation must make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service. It is an offence to fail to make a referral without good reason.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Briefing

In some instances a relevant agency may come across information about a person in a position of trust who does not work or volunteer for them, and feel it is appropriate to notify the local authority outside of the formal adult safeguarding procedures. 

Decisions on sharing information must be justifiable and proportionate, based on the potential or actual harm to adults or children at risk and the rationale for decision-making should always be recorded.

LSAB Managing Allegations against People in Positions of Trust (PiPoT) Framework July 2024

Under the provisions of the Care Act 2014 Care and Support Statutory Guidance (Statutory Guidance) Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board is required to have a Framework for how allegations involving People in Positions of Trust (PiPoT) working with adults with care and support needs should be notified and responded to.

This framework expands upon the outline provided in the Statutory Guidance and the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR) to provide individual agencies with the information they need to be able to respond effectively to any PiPoT allegations or concerns.

Concerns Stage 1: Guidance for Making Decisions on Adult Safeguarding Enquiries

The purpose of this guidance is to help with the consistency of decision making used to cause a Safeguarding Enquiry to be conducted. It is primarily for use by lead professionals working in the Local Authority at the point of receiving an adult Safeguarding Concern; although others may also find it helpful to refer to this guidance when responding to a concern of abuse or neglect, and deciding if this should be referred to, the Local Authority. If care providers are using this guidance, it is important to note that all Safeguarding Concerns must be notified to the Local Authority.

The guidance is not intended to replace, but support professional judgement, and links to the section in the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures which provides the procedural detail in relation to Safeguarding Enquiries (pages 66-78).

1. Legal definitions

The Care Act 2014 statutory guidance and Section 42 (1) criteria states that the Local Authority must make enquiries, or cause others to do so, if they reasonably have cause to suspect an adult:

a. Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and;

b. Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse and neglect; and

c. As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Referring agencies need to use their professional judgement, consider the views of the adult at risk, and where appropriate seek consent for sharing information on a multi-agency basis.

2. Consent and engagement with the adult in relation to a Safeguarding Enquiry 

This can often been seen as crucial factors in determining if a Safeguarding Enquiry can progress, and may lead to decisions not to proceed that leave the adult still exposed to a risk of significant harm.       

• Read The Caldicott Principles. 
• Also see Information Sharing page which is full of advice, guidance and the local Information Sharing Agreement. 
• Does the adult have the mental capacity to consent to the Safeguarding Enquiry?
• Is there a need to provide statutory advocacy: Advocacy 7 Minute Briefing March 2023
• Is there any possibility that the adult has/ is suffering from any type of coercion, control, threat, duress or pressure from another person(s) which may mean they refuse consent?
• Does mental capacity (including executive capacity) need to be assessed or reviewed? For more information read: Decision Making and Mental Capacity (NICE Guidelines), Supported decision-making toolkit for people with communication difficulties Practicable steps for people with communication difficulties and Oldham SAB's Executive Functioning Guidance
• Give due regard to the adult’s views and wishes, including their desired outcomes, even if Best Interest Decisions have been made linked to the Mental Capacity Act. For more information read: Local Government Association - Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit including on the six Safeguarding Principles and Alcohol Change UK Cognitive Impairment Guide and Alcohol Change UK How to use legal powers to safeguard highly vulnerable dependent drinkers guide.
• If the adult does have the mental capacity to consent to the Safeguarding Enquiry, but refuses, professionals must be careful that they consider how to keep the adult safe. This may be particularly relevant in domestic abuse cases. 
• A Safeguarding Enquiry can still proceed without the adult’s consent if ‘vital’ or ‘public’ interest considerations apply. 
• If the adult meets the safeguarding duty/ criteria, and is at risk of significant harm, and it is deemed they do have the mental capacity to refuse consent and to not engage with any Safeguarding Enquiry, then consider seeking legal advice and the use of the Court of Protection, and or Inherent Jurisdiction: 39 Essex Chambers: Guidance on Use of Inherent Jurisdiction. 
• See and use the Guidance on Improving our Approach to Adult and Family Engagement which includes an overview of Trauma Informed Practice. 
• See and use the Multi-Agency Self-Neglect Policy, Practice Guidance and Procedures.
• Professionals must consider escalating decision making where necessary in more complex cases, and respectfully challenge decision making if necessary and appropriate Inter-Agency Escalation Policy July 2023 
• This links to the subject of Professional Curiosity as it is good practice to respectfully challenge safeguarding decisions that you believe are not appropriate. Think about how you ask questions and how you can improve your understanding of a person's life circumstances: Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board - Professional Curiosity 

3. Managing the different levels of harm

In order to manage the large volume of adult Safeguarding Concerns which come under safeguarding adults’ policy and procedures, there is a need to differentiate between those concerns relating to low level harm/risk, and those that are more serious. Whilst it is likely that concerns relating to low level harm/risk will not progress beyond an Initial Enquiry Stage, the concern will be recorded by the Local Authority and proportionate action taken to manage the risks that have been identified. This may include: provision of information or advice; referral to another agency or professional; assessment of care and support needs.

The sharing of low level concerns helps the Local Authority to understand any emerging patterns or trends that may need to be taken into consideration when deciding whether safeguarding adults procedures need to continue.

Local Government Association - Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit

LGA/ADASS Making Decisions on the Duty to Carry out a Safeguarding Enquiry

4. Using this guidance

The guidance is not designed in a way in which further actions are determined by achieving a score, it is there to provide guidance and key considerations for practitioners who are assessing the context, circumstances, seriousness and impact of the abuse that is occurring, as well as the risk of it recurring.

5. Other Safeguarding Enquiry

Local authorities may choose to undertake safeguarding enquiries for people where there is not a section 42 enquiry duty, if the local authority believes it is proportionate to do so, and will enable the local authority to promote the person’s wellbeing and support a preventative agenda (Care Act 2014 Care and Support Statutory Guidance 14.44). 

Also see links under section 3 above. 

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Safeguarding Principle - Proportionality

What does this mean for the professionals: A proportionate and least intrusive response is made balanced with the level of risk.

What does this for the Adult: "I am confident the professionals will work in my interest and only get involved as much as needed".

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6. The interface between Section 42 Enquiries and Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SAR)

As a matter of law an enquiry under Section 42 cannot be initiated in relation to an adult who is deceased. However, if the circumstances of the death mean that there are reasons to be concerned about risks to other adults, Section 42 Enquiries may need to be made to decide whether action needs to be taken to protect them. For example, this will often be necessary following a death in an organisational setting where other adults are continuing to receive a service.

Where a Section 42 Enquiry has already commenced and the adult subsequently passes away, then as outlined above, the enquiry may need to be concluded if there are potential ongoing risk to other adults. Otherwise a multi-agency decision involving “interested others”, which could include family members, should be made regarding the enquiry potentially being suspended.

Where a death is suspected to be the result of abuse or neglect and the other SAR criteria are met, a SAR notification should be submitted to enable the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) to consider this under Section 44 of the Care Act.

How to make a SAR Referral to the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board

SAR Notifications must be submitted as soon as possible after the adult’s death. It should be noted that a brief investigation may be necessary to assemble the required information for the LSAB's Case Review Sub-Group to make a recommendation as to whether a SAR should take place. This investigation should aim only to gather sufficient information for that purpose, and should not aim to reach firm conclusions about what happened. This investigation should be recorded as an Other Enquiry.

The Care Act statutory guidance also gives examples of serious abuse or neglect cases where an adult “would have been likely to have died but for an intervention, or has suffered permanent harm or has reduced capacity or quality of life (whether because of physical or psychological effects) as a result of the abuse or neglect”. Under these circumstances, Section 42 Enquiries into what happened to that adult will still need to take place in parallel, to ensure the adult’s immediate safety and the safety of any others who may be at risk, but should be limited to those purposes rather than duplicating more thorough investigations into the history which may take place through a SAR.

The Local Authority (or delegated agency) may need to make initial enquiries to consider whether the conditions for a SAR are met, but should not describe these as Section 42 Enquiries. In these circumstances the meeting should be a Safeguarding Information Sharing Meeting and logged onto the case management system as an Other Enquiry. Where the suspected abuse or neglect has taken place in an organisational setting, and there may be potential risks to others, the meeting should be an 'Organisational Safeguarding Meeting' and consideration should be given to invoking the Provider Concerns Process.

7. Factors to be considered

7.1 Contextual Factors

The following table should be used to consider the context of the Safeguarding Concern alongside the broader issues such as: mental capacity; mental health; physical disability; learning disability; communication issues; possible coercive control and the relationship between the victim and any alleged perpetrator; where the victim lives; who do they rely upon for their care; what is the extent of their circle or network of supportive relationships.

Table 1: Contextual Factors
1. The Abusive Act	Less Serious                                           More Serious			Less serious concerns are likely to be dealt with at initial enquiry stage only, whilst the more serious concerns will progress to further stages in the safeguarding adults’ procedures.
2. Seriousness of Abuse	Less Serious                                           More Serious			Refer to table 2. Look at the relevant categories of abuse and use your knowledge of the case and your professional judgement to gauge the seriousness of the concern.
3. Pattern of Abuse	Isolated incident	Recent abuse in an ongoing relationship	Repeated abuse	The volume of incidents, Safeguarding Concerns and or Quality Alerts about an individual adult, provider or locality should be carefully considered as part of the wider context of potential abuse, but no benchmark number set to automatically trigger an enquiry.
4. Impact of Abuse on Victims	No impact	Some impact but not long-lasting	Serious long-lasting impact	Impact of abuse does not necessarily correspond to the extent of the abuse –different people will be affected in different ways. Views of the adult at risk will be important in determining the impact of abuse. Protected Characteristics such as disability should be considered as well as disproportionality.
5. Impact on Others	No one else affected	Others indirectly affected	Others directly affected	Other people may be affected by the abuse of another adult. Are relatives, children or other adults distressed or affected by the abuse? Are other people intimidated and/or their environment affected?
6. Intent of Alleged Perpetrator(s)	Unintended/ill-informed	Opportunistic	Deliberate/targeted	Is the act/omission a violent/serious unprofessional response to difficulties in providing care? Is the act/omission planned and deliberately malicious? Is the act a breach of a professional code of conduct?
7. Illegality of Actions	Bad practice/Not illegal	Criminal act	Serious criminal act	Seek advice from the Police if you are unsure if a crime has been committed. Is the act/omission poor or bad practice (but not illegal) or is it clearly a crime? (* See below)
8. Risk of Repeated Abuse on the Victim	Unlikely to recur	Possible to recur	Likely to recur	Is the abuse less likely to recur with significant changes e.g. training, supervision, respite, support or very likely even if changes are made and/or more support provided?
9. Risk of Repeated Abuse on Others	Others not at risk	Possibly at risk	Others at serious risk	Are others (adults and/or children) at risk of being abused: Very unlikely? Less likely if significant changes are made? This perpetrator/setting represents a risk/threat to other adults or children?

*See: London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures (pages 67-68)

7.2 Types and Level of Abuse

The second table should also be used in conjunction with Table 1. The issues described within the ‘Less Serious’ sections may be notified to the Local Authority, but these are likely to be managed at the Initial Enquiry Stage only, and may not progress to a Safeguarding Enquiry.

Concerns of a more serious nature should be referred to the Local Authority.

Advice for Submitting an Adult Safeguarding Concern

These concerns will receive additional scrutiny and progress further under Safeguarding Adults’ procedures. Where a criminal offence is thought or alleged to have been committed the Police will be contacted. Other emergency services should be contacted as required.

Table 2: Types and Level of Abuse
	Less Serious	More Serious
Discriminatory Abuse	Isolated incident of teasing motivated by prejudicial attitudes. Isolated incident of care planning that fails to address an adult’s specific diversity/equality associated needs for a short period.	Inequitable access to service provision as a result of a diversity or equality issue. The Protected Characteristics are: 1.      Age 2.      Disability (inc. learning disability) 3.      Gender Reassignment 4.      Marriage and Civil Partnership 5.      Pregnancy and Maternity 6.      Race 7.      Religion or Belief 8.      Sex 9.      Sexual Orientation Recurring failure to meet specific care/support needs associated with diversity or equality. Being refused access to essential services. Denial of civil liberties e.g. voting, making a complaint. Humiliation or threats on a regular basis, recurring taunts. Hate crime which may result in injury/emergency medical treatment/fear for life/attempted murder/honour-based violence.
Domestic Abuse	Isolated incident of abusive nature. Occasional taunts or verbal outbursts	Inexplicable marking or lesions, cuts or grip marks on a number of occasions. Alleged perpetrator exhibits controlling or coercive behaviour. Limited access to medical and dental care. Accumulations of minor incidents. Frequent verbal/physical outbursts. No access/control over finances. Stalking. Relationship characterised by imbalance of power. Threats to kill, attempts to strangle choke or suffocate. Also see: Financial Abuse.  AGE UK Avoiding Scams Guide Physical Abuse. Psychological Abuse.  Sexual Abuse. The ‘SafeLives’ Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) Risk Identification Checklist should be used to determine the level of risk in domestic abuse cases and a referral made into MARAC where appropriate. SafeLives Risk Identification Checklist Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance July 2022 LSAB Adult Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse 7 minute briefing
Financial or Material Abuse If any of these elements occur within the context of a family or intimate relationship, then this should be dealt with as Domestic Abuse.	Staff personally benefit from the adult’s funds e.g. accrue ‘reward’ points on their own store loyalty cards when shopping. Money not recorded safely and properly. Adult not routinely involved in decisions about how their money is spent or kept safe – capacity in this respect is not properly considered. Non-payment of care fees not impacting on care.	Adult’s monies kept in a joint bank account – unclear arrangements for equitable sharing of interest. Adult denied access to his/her own funds or possessions. Misuse/misappropriation of property or possessions of benefits by a person in a position of trust or control. Personal finance removed from the adult’s control. Ongoing non-payment of care fees putting an adult’s care at risk. Fraud/exploitation relating to benefits, income, property or will. Theft (this may include household items such as food).
Modern Slavery	All Safeguarding Concerns about Modern Slavery are deemed to be more serious.    A new local guidance document on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking will be published later in 2022, but professionals should also refer to the Lewisham Modern Slavery Victim Care Pathway	Limited freedom of movement. Being forced to work for little or no payment. Limited or no access to medical and dental care. Forced marriage. Limited access to food or shelter. Be regularly moved (trafficked) to avoid detection or linked to drug dealing - ‘County Lines’. Removal of passport or ID documents. Sexual exploitation. Starvation. Organ harvesting. No control over movement/imprisonment. No access to appropriate benefits. Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking - 7 Minute Briefing London Directory of Services The Human Trafficking Foundation has created a Directory of Survivor Support Services in London which is constantly updated.
Neglect & Acts Of Omission	Isolated missed home care visit where no harm occurs. Adult is not assisted with a meal/drink on one occasion and no harm occurs. Adult not bathed as often as would like – possible complaint. Not having access to aids to independence. Inadequacies in care provision that lead to discomfort or inconvenience- no harm occurs e.g. being left wet occasionally.   Recurring missed medication or administration errors that cause no harm. Adult does not receive prescribed medication (missed/wrong dose) on one occasion – no harm occurs.	Recurrent missed home care visits where risk of harm escalates, or one missed visit where harm occurs. Hospital discharge without adequate planning and harm occurs. Ongoing lack of care to the extent that health and wellbeing deteriorate significantly e.g. pressure wounds, dehydration, malnutrition, loss of independence/confidence. Failure to arrange access to lifesaving services or medical care. Failure to intervene in dangerous situations where the adult lacks the capacity to assess risk. Safeguarding adults protocol: pressure ulcers and raising a safeguarding concern - GOV.UK Stop the Pressure: NHS Improvement Pressure Ulcer Panel Process - University Hospital Lewisham Dec 2020 Pressure Ulcer Panel Process - In the Community Sept 2022 LSAB Guidance for Reporting Medication Incidents as Adult Safeguarding Concerns Jan 2022 Guidance for Reporting Falls Events as Adult Safeguarding Concerns May 2024
Organisational Abuse	Lack of stimulation/ opportunities for adults to engage in social and leisure activities. Adults not given sufficient voice or involvement in the running of the service. Denial of individuality and opportunities for adults to make informed choice and take responsible risks. Care-planning documentation not person-centred.	Rigid/inflexible routines. Adult’s dignity is undermined e.g. lack of privacy during support with intimate care needs, sharing under-clothing. Inadequate risk assessment resulting in multiple adult on adult incidents within a care setting. See SCIE (Social Care Institute of Excellence): Resident-to-resident harm in care homes and residential settings Bad/poor practice not being reported and going unchecked. Unsafe and unhygienic living environments. Missed medication round resulting in more than one person not receiving their prescribed medication. Staff misusing their position of power over adults in their care (see DBS Briefing). Over-medication and/or inappropriate restraint used to manage behaviour. Widespread consistent ill-treatment. NICE Guidelines: Safeguarding in Care Homes Guidance for Reporting Falls Events as Adult Safeguarding Concerns May 2024 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Briefing Also see this briefing from the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board: Mendip House Practice Briefing
Physical Abuse If any of these elements occur within the context of a family or intimate relationship, then this should be dealt with as Domestic Abuse.	Staff error causing little or no harm e.g. friction mark on skin due to ill-fitting hoist sling. Minor events that still meet criteria for ‘incident reporting’ accidents. Single incident - adult on adult in care setting causing little or no harm. Inexplicable marking found on one occasion. Minor event where adult lacks capacity in keeping themselves safe	Recurring missed medication or errors that affect more than one adult and/or result in harm. Incident involving adult on adult in care setting where injury occurs. Deliberate maladministration of medications. Covert administration without proper medical authorisation. Inappropriate restraint. Withholding of food, drinks or aids to independence. Inexplicable fractures/injuries. Multiple (more than 2) adult on adult incidents involving the same adult/s in care setting. Accumulations of minor incidents. Inexplicable marking or lesions, cuts or grip marks on a number of occasions. Assault. Grievous bodily harm/assault with a weapon leading to irreversible damage or death. Pattern of recurring medication errors or an incident of deliberate maladministration that results in ill-health or death. LSAB Guidance for Reporting Medication Incidents as Adult Safeguarding Concerns Jan 2022 Guidance for Reporting Falls Events as Adult Safeguarding Concerns May 2024
Psychological Abuse If any of these elements occur within the context of a family or intimate relationship, then this should be dealt with as Domestic Abuse.	Isolated incident where adult is spoken to in a rude or inappropriate way – respect is undermined but no/little distress caused. Occasional taunts or verbal outburst. Withholding of information to disempower.	Treatment or behaviour that undermines dignity and esteem. Denying or failing to recognise adult’s choice or opinion. Coercive or controlling behaviour. Humiliation. Emotional blackmail e.g. threats or abandonment/harm. Frequent and frightening verbal outbursts or harassment. Basic human rights/civil liberties, over-riding advance directive. Prolonged intimidation. Vicious/personalised verbal attacks.
Self-Neglect	Hoarding behaviour which doesn’t impact on the health and well-being of the adult or others. Isolated/occasional reports about unkempt personal appearance or property which is out of character or unusual for the adult. Incontinence leading to health concerns.	Multiple reports of concerns from multiple agencies. Ongoing lack of care or behaviour to the extent that health and wellbeing deteriorate significantly e.g. pressure sores, wounds, dehydration, malnutrition. Behaviour which poses a fire risk to the adult and others. Poor management of finances leading to risks to health, wellbeing or property. Hoarding behaviour impacting on the health and well-being of the individual and/or others. Life in danger if intervention is not made in order to protect the adult. Failure to seek lifesaving services or medical care where required. Multi-Agency Self Neglect Policy, Practice Guidance and Procedures Self-Neglect High Risk Panel - Risk Assessment & Action Plan Template Guidance for Reporting Falls Events as Adult Safeguarding Concerns May 2024 Read our Homelessness and Safeguarding Information page for guidance, tools and advice
Sexual Abuse (including sexual exploitation) If any of these elements occur within the context of a family or intimate relationship, then this should be dealt with as Domestic Abuse.	Isolated incident of teasing or low-level unwanted sexualised attention (verbal) directed at one adult by another whether or not capacity exists.	Any sexualised touching or isolated or recurring masturbation without consent. Voyeurism without consent Being subject to indecent exposure. Grooming including via the internet and social media. Attempted penetration by any means (whether or not it occurs within a relationship) without consent. Being made to look at pornographic material against will/where consent cannot be given. Female Genital mutilation. Sex in a relationship characterised by authority inequality or exploitation e.g. receiving something in return for carrying out a sexual act. Sex without consent (rape).

Enquiry Stage 2: Advice for Conducting an Adult Safeguarding Enquiry

1. The decision-making process

The Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Concern Form has been designed to provide all of the detailed and necessary information to allow colleagues in the Local Authority to effectively make a decision on if a Safeguarding Concern needs to progress to a Section 42 (or Other Enquiry) under the Local Authorities duty to do so within the Care Act 2014.

Please also refer to: Guidance for Making Decisions on Adult Safeguarding Enquiries

All of this Safeguarding data will be collated within the Local Authorities case management system (as the lead agency in the Borough) so that there is a central source of information and intelligence, which will allow this to be carefully monitored and assessed.

Also carefully consider if statutory advocacy is required: Advocacy 7 Minute Briefing March 2023        

2. Enquiry routes

Once a decision is made that a Safeguarding Enquiry must be conducted under the Section 42 duty, the relevant team within the Local Authority will decide who is best placed to conduct this, directing it through one of the four strands (2.1 to 2.4) outlined below. When this is delegated outside of the Local Authority they will still retain the overall responsibility to co-ordinate the enquiry as the lead agency, and as such they will provide the quality assurance and oversight in relation to all Safeguarding Enquiries.

S42 Enquiry Report Template (Pdf)    S42 Enquiry Report Template (Word Version)

Professionals should also read the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures (pages 66-78) for further information on conducting Adult Safeguarding Enquiries, using the checklists and detailed good practice guidance (target timescales are the bottom of this page). 

2.1 Police investigation

If a Safeguarding Concern has been submitted to the Local Authority and it is identified that an element, or all of this Concern may be linked to criminal activity, then the early involvement of police is essential. Police investigations should be coordinated by the local police MaSH team who may also support other parallel actions or enquiry options, but this should always be police led.   

See pages 67-68 of the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for more information.

2.2 Standard delegation within the London Borough of Lewisham (LBL) Council

All social work staff within LBL can have Safeguarding Enquiries delegated to them, normally through one of the following four main strands:

1. Neighbourhood Teams 1-4 (London Borough of Lewisham).
2. Placements Team (London Borough of Lewisham). 
3. Hospital Social Work Team (University Hospital Lewisham).
4. Mental Health Social Work Teams within South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust.

There is a need for supervision and co-ordination of enquiries by Safeguarding Adults Managers (SAMs). 

See pages 57-58 of the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for more information.

2.3 External delegation

Safeguarding Enquiries or elements of them may also be routinely delegated outside of LBL to the following partners:

1. Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT) Safeguarding Team, who may then sub-delegate across their internal divisions, including to the District Nursing Service.
2. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM).
3. South East London (SEL) Integrated Care Board (ICB). 
4. Care and Nursing Homes.
5. Home Care Providers.
6. GP Practices.
7. Other Service Providers.

Causing S.42 Enquiries Letter Template (Word)

SAMs will also need to supervise and co-ordinate these enquiries.

2.4 Referrals to Pressure Ulcer Panels (PUPs)

Potential Safeguarding Concerns linked to pressure ulcers can be challenging as it needs to be determined if this has been caused by poor quality care or evidence of neglect or omissions in care provision. This can occur due to other associated factors and may require input from a professional for clinical judgements to be considered:

 The person’s physical and mental health.

• Multiple co-morbidities.
• State of overall skin condition of the person.
• Indicators of neglect of care provision in relation to hygiene and/or repositioning.
• Evidence of ineffective continence management.
• Evidence of ineffective nutritional and fluid management.
• Ineffective Pain management.
• Evidence of completed and accurate proactive risk and wound assessments and subsequent care planning.
• Accurate monitoring and recording in all documentation.
• The views of the service user, family and friends on treatment and care are recorded.
• Capacity and level of engagement of service users and others.
• Evidence of appropriate and timely referrals to members of multidisciplinary team.
• Views of others including professionals.

Pressure Ulcer Panel Process - University Hospital Lewisham Dec 2020

Pressure Ulcer Panel Process - In the Community Sept 2022

While Pressure Ulcers are a risk for people who are frail and not able to move easily, with good management and care these can be prevented. If an adult at risk has a pressure ulcer this should not been as a reason to automatically suspect abuse or neglect, although this should be carefully considered, and a Safeguarding Concern must always be submitted for a stage 3, 4, Unstageable, Deep Tissue Injury and Medical Device pressure ulcers.

If a Safeguarding Concern has been submitted for a pressure ulcer related matter the Local Authority will pass this case onto the relevant Pressure Ulcer Panel (PUP) to oversee the initial investigation:

• The Community PUP - overseen by the South East London, Integrated Care Board. (Care Home Only).

• The Acute Trust’s PUP - overseen by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. (Trust Acute and Community Service).

Health professionals will then inform the safeguarding process by conducting a Pressure Ulcer Synopsis and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and submit the relevant reports to the appropriate PUP. The Lewisham Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MaSH) will provide the initial support and oversight of pressure ulcer related cases until the RCA has been completed. 

If the pressure ulcer amounts to the wilful neglect of an individual who lacks mental capacity, a crime under section 44 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 may have occurred, and in these instances the police will be informed.

SAM’s should engage with the PUP’s to gain understanding of process and decision making of PUP professionals, alongside assisting to co-ordinate any other elements of the safeguarding enquiry if there is another aspect to this.

The PUP’s will attempt to conclude their investigation within 28 days, but this may not always be possible. Once the PUP’s have decided no further investigation by panel is required, the enquiry is closed to the panel and an action plan process is implemented. The SAM should then co-ordinate any further actions up to the point of the enquiry being closed overall.

3. Consent and engagement with the adult in relation to a Safeguarding Enquiry 

These are often crucial factors in determining if a Safeguarding Enquiry can progress, and how effective it is, and may lead to decisions not to proceed that leave the adult still exposed to a risk of significant harm.       

• Read The Caldicott Principles. 
• Also see Information Sharing page which is full of advice, guidance and the local Information Sharing Agreement. 
• Does the adult have the mental capacity to consent to the Safeguarding Enquiry?
• Is there a need to provide statutory advocacy: Advocacy 7 Minute Briefing March 2023
• Is there any possibility that the adult has/ is suffering from any type of coercion, control, threat, duress or pressure from another person(s) which may mean they refuse consent?
• Does mental capacity (including executive capacity) need to be assessed or reviewed? For more information read: Decision Making and Mental Capacity (NICE Guidelines), Supported decision-making toolkit for people with communication difficulties Practicable steps for people with communication difficulties and Oldham SAB's Executive Functioning Guidance
• Give due regard to the adult’s views and wishes, including their desired outcomes, even if Best Interest Decisions have been made linked to the Mental Capacity Act. For more information read: Local Government Association - Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit including on the six Safeguarding Principles and Alcohol Change UK Cognitive Impairment Guide and Alcohol Change UK How to use legal powers to safeguard highly vulnerable dependent drinkers guide.
• If the adult does have the mental capacity to consent to the Safeguarding Enquiry, but refuses, professionals must be careful that they consider how to keep the adult safe. This may be particularly relevant in domestic abuse cases. 
• A Safeguarding Enquiry can still proceed without the adult’s consent if ‘vital’ or ‘public’ interest considerations apply. 
• If the adult meets the safeguarding duty/ criteria, and is at risk of significant harm, and it is deemed they do have the mental capacity to refuse consent and to not engage with any Safeguarding Enquiry, then consider seeking legal advice and the use of the Court of Protection, and or Inherent Jurisdiction: 39 Essex Chambers: Guidance on Use of Inherent Jurisdiction. 
• See and use the Guidance on Improving our Approach to Adult and Family Engagement which includes an overview of Trauma Informed Practice. 
• See and use the Multi-Agency Self-Neglect Policy, Practice Guidance and Procedures.
• Professionals must consider escalating decision making where necessary in more complex cases, and respectfully challenge decision making if necessary and appropriate Inter-Agency Escalation Policy July 2023 
• This links to the subject of Professional Curiosity as it is good practice to respectfully challenge safeguarding decisions that you believe are not appropriate. Please Read This Guidance: Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board - Professional Curiosity

4. The Challenge of Engagement and Self-Neglect

Only 5% of Section 42 Enquiries are related to Self-Neglect in Lewisham, but professionals must understand the significance of these complex cases as almost half of all Safeguarding Adults Reviews, and therefore some of the most serious cases of abuse nationally, are related to this subject.

When an adult is self-neglecting, relationship based work becomes crucial and having one worker as a single point of contact may be beneficial.

Using the label “hard to engage” is damaging and may result in other professionals believing there is little point in attempting to do so, and therefore should be avoided (“seldom heard” may be a more appropriate term).

Practitioners should work together if one is struggling to achieve meaningful engagement with the adult, as another may still be able to take the lead on behalf of an Enquiry Officer in managing and monitoring risk.

Practitioners should also consider the following in helping to improve engagement with adults:

1. Creative, flexible and imaginative ways to communicate with adults, including working with faith, community leaders and non-safeguarding practitioners to achieve the best outcomes.
2. Producing information in a number of ways to meet individual needs.
3. Involving family members appropriately to help support adults.
4. The use of advocacy to engage with adults.
5. Training staff to enable and improve engagement with adults.

Multi-Agency Self Neglect Policy, Practice Guidance and Procedures

5. Making Safeguarding Personal during a Safeguarding Enquiry

Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) is an initiative which aims to develop a person centred and outcomes focus to safeguarding work in supporting people to improve or resolve their circumstances.

 What MSP Seeks to achieve: 

1. A personalised approach enabling safeguarding to be done with and not to people, using practical methods defined by the adults individual needs rather than those of the organisation.
2. The outcomes an adult wants, by determining these at the beginning of working with them, and ascertaining if those outcomes were realised at the end.
3. Improvement to people’s circumstances rather than on ‘investigation and conclusion’.
4. Utilisation of person-centred practice rather than ‘putting people through a process’.
5. Good outcomes for people by working with them in a timely way, rather than one constrained by timescales.
6. Improved practice by supporting a range of methods for staff learning and development.
7. Learning through sharing good practice.
8. Further development of recording systems in order to understand what works well.
9. Broader cultural change and commitment within organisations, to enable practitioners, families, teams and the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board to know what difference has been made. 

Supporting people living with Dementia to be involved in adult Safeguarding Enquiries (March 2021)

Making Safeguarding Personal | Local Government Association

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Safeguarding Principle - Empowerment

What does this mean for the professionals: Adults are encouraged to make their own decisions and are provided with support and information.

What does this mean for the adult: "I am consulted about the outcomes I want from the safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens". ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Local Government Association - Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit 

Plan & Review Stage 3: Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting Guidance

1. What is the purpose of a Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting?

The overarching purpose of a Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting is to bring together all of the relevant stakeholders, so that information and intelligence can be shared to determine what the appropriate actions should be to “sufficiently reduce, or remove the risk to the adult” (although it may also be appropriate for this to 'remain' in some circumstances).

This is a shift in terminology and emphasis away from trying to 'substantiate' reports of abuse, which can become combative between professionals and agencies, detracting from the efforts to improve the adult's wellbeing and safety.  

See: Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting Form (Word)   Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting Form (Pdf)

2. When might a Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting be needed?

A Planning Meeting may not be necessary in relation to all Section 42 Safeguarding Enquiries, but the following points should be used to help determine if one is required:

1. Where the health and safety of the adult is, or maybe compromised, and a detailed (or initial) safeguarding plan is required.
2. Where there have been previous Safeguarding Concerns and the issues have been repeated, and or, the risks are more acute than previously thought.
3. Where multiple agencies (including providers) are needed in providing support and or protection, and there is a need to co-ordinate actions.
4. In organisational or institutional cases where other adults are at risk of abuse or neglect. This may include where issues have affected residents of other Local Authorities.
5. Where the abuse involved a member of staff/volunteer (position of trust), and this brings into question the safety of other adults, and or the service.
6. Where there is the potential for parallel or overlapping criminal investigations by Police. In some instances a Planning Meeting may be required at short notice (1 day) following on from the initial Safeguarding Enquiries, if the issues identified place the adult at significant risk of harm, otherwise this should be arranged within 5 working days of a decision being made that one is necessary. With this in mind the following points made under each of the six Safeguarding Principles should be followed to ensure that Planning Meetings are utilised effectively and consistently. The objectives of a Safeguarding Enquiry are laid out on page 70 of the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. 

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Safeguarding Principle - Empowerment

What does this mean for the professionals: Adults are encouraged to make their own decisions and are provided with support and information.

What does this mean for the adult: "I am consulted about the outcomes I want from the safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens".……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The practitioner who is setting up and chairing a Planning Meeting (see section 3) must ensure that the adult’s views, wishes and opinions are effectively represented, and conduct the meeting in an appropriate manner, using appropriate adaptations if required, allowing for the full participation of the adult and or their representative(s).    

2.1 If the adult does wish to attend the following points must be born in mind:

• The adult can bring someone to support them at the meeting. This might be a family member, friend or an Advocate (see section 3.2 of the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures), and or a legal representative.
• The meeting is about the adult and their views and wishes. The Chair of the meeting must ensure these are heard and listened to by everyone else.
• The meeting may need to decide what actions need to be taken, and by who, to make the adult safer and improve their wellbeing. This will be a group decision and the adult’s views will form part of this decision.
• A Safeguarding Plan may be agreed - this is about how the adult wants to be supported to be safe. Decisions about the adult’s welfare or care will need to be agreed with them.
• If the adult has been assessed as not having mental capacity to make a particular decision at that time, then it will need to be made in their ‘best interests’, and their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs must still be taken into account. Such decisions must be made in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Mental capacity should be carefully considered during every safeguarding enquiry- see section 3.1 of the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
• Think about how you ask questions and how you can improve your understanding of a person's life circumstances: Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board - Professional Curiosity

 2.2 If the adult does not wish to attend they may:

• Give their views in writing, or
• Ask someone to attend on their behalf, for example an advocate, friend or family member, or
• Ask the Safeguarding worker or Safeguarding Adults Manager to pass on their views.

 Local Government Association - Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Safeguarding Principle - Prevention 

What does this mean for the professionals: Strategies are developed to prevent abuse and neglect that promotes resilience and self-determination.

What does this mean for the adult: "I am provided with easily understood information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help". ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2.3 The Planning Meeting should consider:

• The longer-term ongoing support the adult will need.
• What learning can be shared across agencies to help prevent further re-occurrences. This is also linked to Section 44 of the Care Act 2014 - if the criteria for a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) is met.
• If a referral to the Provider Concerns Process should be made (see sections 5.7 & 5.8 of the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures)
• What training or education is needed to help prevent further re-occurrences of abuse.
• How information should be recorded and shared in line with the data protection legislation to help prevent further instances of abuse (see section 2.39 of the London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
• Does the adult have the mental capacity to consent to the Safeguarding Enquiry?
• Is there a need to provide statutory advocacy: Advocacy 7 Minute Briefing March 2023
• Is there any possibility that the adult has/ is suffering from any type of coercion, control, threat, duress or pressure from another person(s) which may mean they refuse consent?
• Does mental capacity (including executive capacity) need to be assessed or reviewed? For more information read: Decision Making and Mental Capacity (NICE Guidelines), Supported decision-making toolkit for people with communication difficulties Practicable steps for people with communication difficulties and Oldham SAB's Executive Functioning Guidance
• Give due regard to the adult’s views and wishes, including their desired outcomes, even if Best Interest Decisions have been made linked to the Mental Capacity Act. For more information read: Local Government Association - Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit including on the six Safeguarding Principles and Alcohol Change UK Cognitive Impairment Guide and Alcohol Change UK How to use legal powers to safeguard highly vulnerable dependent drinkers guide.
• If the adult does have the mental capacity to consent to the Safeguarding Enquiry, but refuses, professionals must be careful that they consider how to keep the adult safe. This may be particularly relevant in domestic abuse cases. 
• A Safeguarding Enquiry can still proceed without the adult’s consent if ‘vital’ or ‘public’ interest considerations apply. 
• If the adult meets the safeguarding duty/ criteria, and is at risk of significant harm, and it is deemed they do have the mental capacity to refuse consent and to not engage with any Safeguarding Enquiry, then consider seeking legal advice and the use of the Court of Protection, and or Inherent Jurisdiction: 39 Essex Chambers: Guidance on Use of Inherent Jurisdiction. 
• See and use the Guidance on Improving our Approach to Adult and Family Engagement which includes an overview of Trauma Informed Practice. A lack of effective engagement should result in an escalation of the risks in some instances and not a closure of the case. 
• See and use the Multi-Agency Self-Neglect Policy, Practice Guidance and Procedures. Including consideration of the use of the High-Risk Panel if the Enquiry and Review is not achieving the desired effect in reducing the risk to the adult. 

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Safeguarding Principle - Proportionality

What does this mean for the professionals: A proportionate and least intrusive response is made balanced with the level of risk.

What does this mean for the adult: "I am confident professionals will work in my interest and only get involved as much as needed".

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• If the abuse or neglect is unintentional and has arisen because an informal carer is struggling to care for another person. An assessment of both the carer and the adult must be considered in relation to wellbeing principles and duties. 

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Safeguarding Principle - Protection 

What does this mean for the professionals: Adults are offered ways to protect themselves, and there is a co-ordinated response to safeguarding.

What does this mean for the adult: "I am provided with help and support to report abuse. I am supported to take part to the extent to which I want and to which I am able". ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• The details of the Safeguarding Concern and how this places the adult at risk of abuse or neglect.
• That there is clarity about the type of abuse that has occurred and that this is recorded effectively, considering types of abuse that are particularly under-recorded:
  • Organisational Abuse
  • Discriminatory Abuse
  • Modern Slavery
  • Domestic Abuse.
• If an enquiry does take place, that an appropriate risk assessment of the available information is conducted that informs decisions regarding how the investigation will be undertaken, by whom, and by when.
• How a Safeguarding Plan will be delivered to reduce or remove the risk of harm to the adult, and or others.
• Any potential risks to children and young people (or other adults at risk) and agreement on who will arrange a Child Protection referral, where necessary. Refer to the: The Think Family page where you will find the Lewisham Think Family Protocol, the Think Family Practice Guidance and resources.
• The link with other key processes and procedures e.g. personnel issues (including referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service or a professional or regulatory body); Police investigations; other regulatory processes such as a NHS Serious Incident, and the link to Pressure Ulcer Panels (see section 6).

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Safeguarding Principle - Partnerships 

What does this mean for the professionals: Local solutions through services working together within their communities.

What does this mean for the adult: "I am confident that information will be appropriately shared in a way that takes into account its personal and sensitive nature. I am confident that agencies will work together to find the most effective responses for my own situation".

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………

• How everyone involved in the enquiry will deliver the actions that are agreed as a result of the investigation in a manner consistent with Making Safeguarding Personal principles (MSP) and that the adult’s views and wishes are achieved as agreed. 

Local Government Association - Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit

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Safeguarding Principle - Accountability

What does this mean for the professionals: Accountability and transparency in delivering a safeguarding response.

What does this mean for the adult: "I am clear about the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the solution to the problem".

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

• That arrangements are in place to give feedback to the person raising the Safeguarding Concern if they are not in attendance at the Planning Meeting.
• How partners are going to monitor and measure the delivery of the agreed actions with MSP in mind.
• Issues relating to inequalities and or potential discrimination are identified and taken account of.

3. Who can convene a Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting?

An Enquiry Officer or a Safeguarding Adults Manager from the London Borough of Lewisham (LBL) can convene a Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting.   

4. Who should attend a Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting?

There are a wide range of people who may be required to attend a Planning Meeting, including, but not limited to:

1. The adult and or their representative (see 2.1).
2. The Safeguarding Adults Manager or their equivalent.
3. The Safeguarding Enquiry Officer.
4. The person who raised the Safeguarding Concern (if they are a professional).
5. Police manager.
6. Other criminal justice agencies.
7. NHS Trust manager and or relevant specialist.
8. GP
9. Care Quality Commission.
10. Care Provider agency manager.
11. Relevant LBL and or South East London (SEL) Integrated Care Board (ICB) Commissioner.
12. Quality Assurance or Contracts Officer from LBL and or SEL ICB.
13. The person/agency alleged to have caused the harm should have been given the opportunity to submit their representations. If this an agency, then a manager not directly involved in providing care in the case may be invited to attend.
14. Any other relevant agency/service representative as deemed appropriate by the person chairing the meeting.

Whoever attends a Planning Meeting should be of sufficient seniority to make decisions within the meeting concerning the organisation’s role and the resources they may contribute to the agreed Safeguarding Plan.

Planning Meetings should be formally recorded and minutes taken, which should be shared with those attending. This should be completed within 5 working days of the Meeting.

5. Practical arrangements 

Whilst there is a need to formally record the minutes from Planning Meetings, these should be set up as informally and flexibly as possible to meet the requirements of the adult and or their representative(s), whilst also helping ensure that professionals can contribute when these meetings are being set up at relatively short-notice. 

It may be suitable and appropriate to set these meetings up online using video methods, or via telephone, or by being flexible in utilising meeting rooms that are accessible for those involved. Otherwise the chair of the Planning Meeting should consider:   

1. How to create a comfortable and welcoming environment.
2. Whether the adult wishes to have a representative(s) with them and whether they will or should have an active or silent role (legal representative). This should be agreed with the adult, their legal representative and the chair ahead of the Planning Meeting.
3. Any communication requirements or other accessibility issues.
4. Location of facilities such as refreshments and toilets.
5. How breaks will be agreed, if needed.
6. Arrangements should the adult require a break or wish to clarify any points covered in the meeting.
7. The adult and their representative(s) should not be required to join a room where other attendees have previously gathered, and where possible they should be in the room before other attendees join, having met and had a chance to talk with the chair ahead of the meeting.
8. Meetings can also be in multiple parts to make them less intimidating (smaller groups) and more manageable for the adult, and include a separate and wider ‘professionals’ meeting.
9. Where the venue is the adult’s own home, consideration should be given to how their home will be treated with respect, and how to maintain confidentiality if others not attending the meeting may also be present in the home.

See: Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting Form (Word)   Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting Form (Pdf)

6. How do Planning Meetings link to Pressure Ulcer Panels and the Provider Concerns process?

6.1 Pressure Ulcer Panels 

Any Section 42 Safeguarding Enquiry which has commenced as a result of a pressure ulcer related issue will normally be conducted via one of the two Pressure Ulcer Panels in the Borough of Lewisham, which are both overseen by a senior social work practitioner from within LBL. 

If these are routine cases, then a separate Planning Meeting will not be required, unless one or more of the issues listed in section 2 of this guidance are also present in the case. 

If a Planning Meeting is deemed to be necessary in relation to a pressure ulcer related case, then one should be convened within 5 working days of a decision being made that one is necessary, even if the case has not been brought to a conclusion by the relevant Pressure Ulcer Panel. 

6.2 Provider Concerns 

As described in section 2.3, one outcome from a Planning Meeting might be to make a referral to the Provider Concerns process if the criteria for this has been reached. The Planning Meeting may help to identify signs linked to provider concerns, allowing for early supportive actions to be taken by commissioning authorities in supporting social care providers. A referral for the Provider Concerns Process should be made through the applicable Contracts Officer from LBL/ SEL ICB, or through the Head of Safeguarding and Gateway at LBL.

Provider Concern Process Flowchart Oct 2022

Quality, Safeguarding and Provider Concerns Procedure Oct 2022

Provider Concerns Policy and Procedures - Oct 2022

7. Monitoring and review of Planning Meetings 

The Operational Lead from LBL will provide operational oversight and monitor all activity linked to the Section 42 Enquiry process, including Planning Meetings, in conjunction with the Service Manager with overall responsibility for adult safeguarding within LBL.

The Service Manager within LBL will provide oversight of Planning Meetings, providing quality assurance to the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board through ongoing audit and reporting processes.

Stage 4: Closing the Enquiry

A Safeguarding Concern/Enquiry can be closed at any of the previous three stages of the procedure.

However, the following points should be used as a checklist to ensure the procedure has been closed effectively and appropriately:

• Anyone involved in the Safeguarding Concern/Enquiry should be advised on how and who to contact if there are further concerns about the adult at risk.
• There should be agreement on how any further concerns will be followed up.
• It is good practice where a care management assessment, Care Programme Approach (CPA), reassessment of care and support, health review, placement review or any other pre-booked review is due to take place following the safeguarding enquiry, for a standard check to be made that there has been no reoccurrence of concerns.
• Closure records should note the reason for this decision and the views of the adult at risk to the proposed closure. The SAM responsible should ensure that all actions have been taken, building in any personalised actions:
  • Agreements with the adult at risk to closure.
  • Referral for assessment and support.
  • Advice and information provided.
  • All organisations involved in the enquiry updated and informed.
  • Feedback has been provided to the referrer (this is very important).
  • Action taken with the person alleged to have caused harm.
  • Action taken to support other service users.
  • Referral to children and young people made (if necessary).
  • Outcomes noted and evaluated by adult at risk.
  • Consideration for a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR).
  • Any lessons to be learnt.

The SAM may decide to convene a multi-agency meeting at the closure stage so that the Safeguarding Enquiry process can be reviewed, to ensure that the "risk to the adult has been sufficiently reduced, or removed" (although it may also be appropriate for this to 'remain' in some circumstances), before being closed.

This will not always be required, but may be useful in the following circumstances: 

1. To ensure that in the most complex cases the risk management arrangements that have been put in place are being effective.
2. Where multiple agencies (including providers) have been involved in offering support and or protection, and ongoing co-ordination is required.
3. In organisational or institutional cases where other adults may also have also been at risk of abuse or neglect. This may include where issues have affected residents of other Local Authorities.
4. Where the abuse involved a member of staff/volunteer (position of trust), and this brought into question the safety of other adults, and or the service.
5. Where there may have been multiple ongoing enquiries by different organisations or other processes, including by Police and the Pressure Ulcer Panels.
6. To consider if other legal or statutory actions or redress are needed. This may include a referral for a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR - s.44 Care Act 2014).             

Provider Concerns 

One further outcome from a multi-agency meeting might be to make a referral to the Provider Concerns process if the criteria for this has been reached. This meeting may help to identify signs linked to provider concerns, allowing for early supportive actions to be taken by commissioning authorities in supporting social care providers. A referral for the Provider Concerns Process should be made through the applicable Contracts Officer from LBL/ SEL ICB, or through the Head of Safeguarding and Gateway at LBL.

Provider Concern Process Flowchart Oct 2022

Quality, Safeguarding and Provider Concerns Procedure Oct 2022

Provider Concerns Policy and Procedures - Oct 2022

The adult safeguarding process may be closed but other processes may continue, for example, a disciplinary or professional body investigation. These processes may take some time. Consideration may need to be given to the impact of these on the adult and how this will be monitored. Where there are outstanding criminal investigations and pending court actions, the adult safeguarding process can also be closed providing that the adult is safeguarded.

All closures no matter at what stage are subject to an evaluation of outcomes by the adult at risk. If the adult at risk disagrees with the decision to close safeguarding down their reasons should be fully explored and alternatives offered.

At the close of each enquiry there should be evidence of:

1. Enhanced safeguarding practice ensuring that people have an opportunity to discuss the outcomes they wanted at the start of safeguarding activity.
2. Follow-up discussions with adults at risk at the end of safeguarding activity to see to what extent their desired outcomes have been met.
3. Recording the results by fully completing all of the data recording requirements within the LBL Case Management System (LAS) so this can be used to inform practice, and provide the necessary performance monitoring information for the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board.

Adult Safeguarding Pathway Resources

Adult Safeguarding Posters - See it, Report it!

• LSAB Adult Safeguarding Poster Version 1

Adult Safeguarding Leaflet:

• Easy Read Version
• LSAB Adult Safeguarding Leaflet (2024) Links to above poster
• Translated Bengali Version
• Translated Hindi Version
• Translated Urdu Version

Learning and Development Workbooks

The Introduction to Adult Safeguarding & Modern Slavery Awareness are the first two workbooks in our series on adult safeguarding.

1. Introduction to Adult Safeguarding Workbook - March 2023
2. Training Case Studies
3. 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.  

Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures Template

LSAB Adult Safeguarding Single Agency Policy and Procedures Template (for use by any agency updated January 2023).

Single Agency Policy Template For Small Community Organisations (September 2023)

Adult Safeguarding Pathway Forms and Templates

• Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Concern Form (Pdf)
• Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Concern Form (Word)
• Causing-S42-Enquiries-Letter-Template (Word)
• S42 Enquiries Report Template (Pdf)
• S42 Enquiries Report Template (Word)
• Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting Form (Pdf)
• Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Planning Meeting Form (Word)

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

Think Family: Working with Fathers and Male Carer's Toolkit

A toolkit for professionals working with fathers and male carers.

Working with Fathers and Male Carer's Toolkit Checklist

A checklist that focusses professionals work when working with fathers and male carer's.

Working with Fathers and Male Carer's Toolkit Resources

A collection of resources for professionals working with fathers and male carer's in Lewisham.

Use of Statutory Advocacy

Advocacy 7 Minute Briefing March 2023

Tricky Friends

Good friends can make life really great. But friendships can be tricky. Watch our Tricky Friends video which will give you helpful advice on friendship.

Coercive Control

Raise awareness of the signs of Coercive Control by displaying - Lewisham's - Can you see the signs of coercive control? - Poster

Watch these two short clips for brilliant examples of "Gaslighting" a common form of abuse seen in Domestic Abuse.

Gaslight - You Think I'm Insane: After becoming hysterical at a friend's house Paula (Ingrid Bergman), Gregory (Charles Boyer) shares his frustrations with her.

Gaslight (1944) - You Think I'm Insane Scene (5/8) | Movieclips – Youtube

Gaslight - You're Being Driven Insane: With Brian's (Joseph Cotten) help, Paula (Ingrid Bergman) discovers the horrifying truth about her husband.

Gaslight (1944) - You're Being Driven Insane Scene (6/8) | Movieclips - Youtube

London Fire Brigade: Help for Hoarders - Fire Safety Tips

• London Fire Brigade: Help for Hoarders - Fire Safety Tips

Stop Hate UK: Hate Crime Posters for Lewisham 

• Lewisham Stop Hate UK Poster - See it, Report it, Sort it
• Lewisham Stop Hate UK Poster - Online Hate
• Lewisham Stop Hate UK Poster - What ever they call you, call us

West Midlands Modern Slavery Victim Support Booklet

• English Version
• Albanian Version
• Bulgarian Version
• Chinese Version
• Latvian Version
• Lithuanian Version
• Polish Version
• Roma Version
• Romanian Version
• Slovak Version
• Vietnamese Version

The Government has also produced a Support for Victims of Modern Slavery leaflet in 11 languages.

Migrant Help Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Information

• English Version.pdf
• Arabic Version.pdf
• Albanian Version.pdf
• Farsi Version.pdf
• Kurdish Version.pdf
• Pashto Version.pdf

Prevention

We can all help to prevent adult abuse and neglect by supporting the delivery of these key objectives:

1. Improve Public Awareness

This can be achieved by helping to support awareness building campaigns and by signposting adults to appropriate sources of information. One easy way to do this is by following @lewisham_sab on Twitter and supporting the campaigns we deliver.

2. Identify Adults who May be at Increased Risk

There are many factors which might increase the risks of adult abuse and neglect including: older age; physical, mental, sensory, learning or cognitive illness or disability; and having to rely on others for health and social care support.

3. Identifying & Responding Effectively to Abuse

Organisations and individuals working to improve their understanding and early identification of the different types of adult abuse, so that an effective response can be achieved in conjunction with the adults views and wishes.

4. Consistent & Widespread Application of Policies & Procedures

It is important for organisations delivering services to adults to have appropriate policies and procedures which are developed in line with guidance from the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board, and embedded into the practice of all professionals. See: Pathway Resources

5. Focus on Equality & Narrowing Inequality

Adults from financially deprived backgrounds are more likely to become an ‘identified’ victim of adult abuse and neglect, and it is less likely that an adult from some ethnic minority communities will be engaged with statutory services in Lewisham. All professionals can help to improve reporting and equal access to protective services.

This Government Guidance provides some excellent information and resources to help reduce inequality: Inclusion Health: Applying All Our Health (May 2021)

6. Help Adults to Protect Themselves

Every organisation delivering services to adults at risk of abuse and neglect can identify ways in which they can help to inform, and support adults in protecting themselves from abuse.

See this Web Page which has useful advice and services that exist locally: Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board - SCAMS Information and Advice

7. Provide Information, Advice & Advocacy

Individual organisations will know the communication needs of their client groups, and as such are best placed to provide bespoke adult safeguarding information in the most appropriate formats, methods and languages. See: Pathway Resources

More information on the Statutory Advocacy Provider in Lewisham can be found here: https://www.pohwer.net/lewisham

8. Provide Access to Training & Education

Organisations have a responsibility to provide access to up to date and relevant adult safeguarding training for their staff and volunteers, and additional support for the person (s) responsible for leading on this subject within that agency.

Infographic - It all Points to Prevention 

All Points Towards Prevention Infographic November 2023

9. Support Broader Wellbeing Strategies

There is a clearly established link between the prevention of adult abuse and broader health and wellbeing strategies, including the reduction of social isolation and loneliness. Organisations can help to engage adults in these type of strategies, which will also indirectly help to prevent adult abuse.

Preventing abuse and neglect of adults with care and support needs - SCIE

This video Safeguarding Adults - Helping People To Protect Themselves From Crime which has been produced by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, shows what care workers and others who are in contact with adults at risk can do to help them protect themselves from crime.

This video Safeguarding Adults - Looking Out For Each Other To Prevent Abuse which has been produced by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, can be helpful to highlight what the local community can do to protect themselves and those they care about.

Feeling lonely or isolated? - Age UK Silver Line

As we get older, we may find we spend more time on our own. This can sometimes feel lonely, boring or make us miss friends or family.

If you or someone you know is missing the joy of regular conversation,

The Silver Line Helpline run by Age UK is a free, 24-hour telephone service for older people across the UK.

We offer friendship, conversation, and support for people aged 55 or over, especially those who may be experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Find out more about the Silver Line

London Fire Brigade -  Home Fire Safety Checker

Get started with the Home Fire Safety Checker

Metropolitan Police- Lewisham - Personal safety: how to stay safe

Independent Age - Advice and support for older age

Independent Age have some great advice on what can cause falls, what you can do if you do fall and where to find out further information.

Staying steady on your feet

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust offer a falls rehabilitation service which you can access via referral from your GP.

Age UK Lewisham and Southwark

Age UK Lewisham and Southwark exists to improve the lives of older people in the London Boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark, working towards a future in which older people are valued, safe and empowered to make choices about their lives.

Age UK Lewisham and Southwark aims to empower and enable older people to lead fulfilled lives by:

• Providing services and support that address poverty and isolation

• Protecting the human rights of local older people

• Promoting health and wellbeing

• Connecting older people with their communities

• Working positively with partners across all sectors

Find out how Age UK Lewisham can help you. 

Protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime with Action Fraud

How much do you really know about fraud and cyber crime? Action Fraud has lots of helpful information and advice on how to keep you safe.

See this Web Page which has useful advice and services that exist locally: Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board - SCAMS Information and Advice

Please let us know if you have any thoughts or ideas in relation to prevention.

There are two ways that you can get in contact with us, by email or letter. 

Email Us

Postal Address: Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board, C/o London Borough of Lewisham, 3rd Floor, Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU.