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

Tuesday 18 March 2025 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Tuesday 6 May 2025 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Tuesday 8 July 2025 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Tuesday 2 September 2025 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Tuesday 7 October  2025 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

Monday 17 November  2025 13:00pm to 16.30pm Online Book Here

3rd Annual Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board Housing Summit

Wednesday 11 December 2024 10:00am to 13.00pm at the Civic Centre, Catford 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). 

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

Monday 31 March 2025 10:00am to 15.30pm Online Book Here

Monday 23 June 2025 10:00am to 15.30pm Online Book Here

Monday 15 September 2025 10:00am to 15.30pm Online Book Here

Monday 8 December 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.

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

Monday 7 April 2025 10am - 12.30pm Book your ticket

Monday 30 June 2025 10am - 12:30pm Book your ticket

Friday 17 October 2025 10am - 12.30pm Book your ticket

Monday 15 December 2025 10am - 12.30pm 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

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.

South East London Safeguarding Adults Board’s Learning Programme for November 2024.

The South East London Safeguarding Adults Boards have come together to share with you this exciting and varied programme of learning events that will take place throughout November 2024, to also coincide with the national awareness week and London wide conference. Please see the attached flyer which includes links to follow for registration.

National Safeguarding Awareness Month 2024 Flyer

The London Safeguarding Adults Conference covered topics including Transition Safeguarding, Neglect and Acts of Omission, and Domestic Abuse.

For those that were unable to make the conference Presentations from the event are available below.

SAR's Review 2nd National Analysis Michael Preston-Shoot

The NHS Safeguarding Case Review Tracker Elaine Ruddy

Neglect and Acts of Omission Karen Rees

Domestic Abuse Amanda Warburton-Wynn

Transitional Safeguarding Dez Holmes

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.  

In this section you can find all of the LSAB's 7 Minute Breifings and the team action plan.

Don't know what a 7 minute briefing is? not sure how to use it?

Read What is a 7 Minute Briefing? to find out.

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Lee

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Mia

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Joshua

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Tyrone Goodyear

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Arthur

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Adult Z

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Amanda

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Eileen Dean

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Mrs A & Miss G

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Adult Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse 

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Statutory Advocacy

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Professional Challenge

LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Team Action Plan Template

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.

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

Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board: Inter-Agency Briefing 28 November 2024

National News

A new report from Nottingham Rights Lab has highlighted the risk of control and exploitation of adults living with cognitive impairment.

Cognitive impairment can include both developmental and acquired impairments. This includes but is not limited to: intellectual disability; dementia; brain injury; and autistic spectrum disorders.

27% of the adult population of England (12 million people) are living with a disability. Of these, 1.5 million have a learning disability, 1.6 million memory or cognition conditions, and 3.9 million with mental health conditions.

This new research provides the first robust description of the link between cognitive impairment and the exploitation of adults in England. The full report and an Executive Summary can be read here: Nottingham Rights Lab Report

[This is a very interesting read with lots of insights and data, including a reference to the Lewisham Mia SAR in 2021]. 

Homeless Link have created six bitesize (30-minute) sessions to give frontline staff *working in homelessness services the knowledge and skills to better support people who are facing multiple disadvantage (also known as multiple and/or complex needs) and are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness).

1. Understanding the Care Act 2014 for people experiencing multiple exclusion and homelessness.
2. Adult Safeguarding and Homelessness - The importance of fact finding and submitting quality safeguarding referrals.
3. Mental capacity assessments and what good practice looks like.
4. Supporting people from abroad with restricted eligibility to access accommodation.
5. Working with young people and care leavers at risk of homelessness.
6. Prison release and hospital discharge - Continuity of care responsibilities.

 *These sessions are also useful for any professional working with adults at risk of homelessness.

Bitesize learning: Supporting Adults and Young People Through Safeguarding | Homeless Link

Less?  An extremely helpful film of personal stories from people who have experienced and overcome homelessness from across the country, including in London.

We know that at this time of year there is a peak in online shopping which heightens the threat of financial fraud and scams, which is already the no.1 crime reported to police (by some distance), even though only around 30% of such frauds are ever reported. 

Take Five is a national campaign offering straight forward impartial advice that helps to prevent email, phone-based and online fraud – particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations (including using number spoofing – the ability to disguise a telephone number).

The https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/ website is packed full of useful tips, tools, and information to help prevent fraud. Please read and refer this to your clients and service users.

Local News

A new LSAB 7 Minute Briefing - Professional Challenge has recently been published which supports the publication of the LSAB Inter Agency Escalation Policy July 2023 and with professional development linked to LSAB - Professional Curiosity

A new video on ‘Cuckooing’ or Home Invasion/ Takover has recently been commissioned and launched. This can be viewed on the dedicated webpage for this subject which has some other very useful resources including a local guidance document on this subject:

LSAB Criminal Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults: County Lines & Cuckooing

The Lewisham Sanctuary Scheme provides support to victims of gender-based abuse (Violence Against Women & Girls – VAWG) through various security measures aimed at enhancing safety within their homes.

Athena Lewisham Sanctuary Scheme Referral form

Focus on……. Gender Based Violence

You can join in with supporting the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls which runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (White Ribbon Day), to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

See this webpage for more details: Lewisham Council - Violence Against Women and Girls   

See this link for all the learning events locally during the campaign.

Fact: The police receive a domestic abuse-related call every 30 seconds.
Yet it is estimated that less than 24% of domestic abuse crime is reported to the police. [There are in the region of 5,000 domestic abuse incidents reported to police in Lewisham every year].

Fact: 1 in 4 women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime.
Domestic abuse feels incredibly isolating, but the numbers tell a different story: you are not alone.

Fact: On average, one woman is killed by an abusive partner or ex every five days in England and Wales.
If you are afraid of your partner always call 999 in an emergency.

Fact: Domestic abuse is linked to depression and homelessness.
Women who experience domestic abuse are twice as likely to experience depression, and 40% of homeless women state domestic abuse as a contributory factor to their homelessness.

Fact: Domestic abuse can lead women to suicide.
It is estimated that around 3 women a week die by suicide as a result of domestic abuse.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2024

We also received some fantastic news last week that allows us to celebrate the achievements of

PC Louise Savage-Knight during this key campaign period. 

Louise was nominated for recognition in the recent National Adult Safeguarding Awards in the Empowerment Champion category. This was one of the most hotly contested subjects, but Louise’s outstanding work as the police lead for Violence Against Women and Girls across South-East London obviously shone through and impressed the judges. The following comment from the nomination highlights the impact of Louise’s brilliant work:

“Louise has set the basis for VAWG work in the local Met that did not exist before, and with her empowerment and knowledge, set the local Met up to spread this work wider and have even further impact”.

Louise also received the following feedback from the LSAB Independent Chair Professor Keith Brown:

“I would like to offer my personal thanks, as well as on behalf of the partner organisations of the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board, for your outstanding contribution in helping local citizens and communities to live in safety free from abuse and neglect. This is the primary human rights and safeguarding objective we all share.

You should be rightly proud of your significant achievements. Very well done”.

Learning, Training & Development

National Adult Safeguarding Awareness Campaign - throughout November 2024: 

Please get involved and share the links across your networks. There is a programme of learning events and activities locally, as well as a wider range of events that anyone can access across 6 South East London boroughs. Please see the details here: LSAB Learning Zone

Annual Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board Housing Summit

Wednesday 11 December 2024 10:00hrs to 13.00hrs at the Civic Centre, Catford: Book Here

This is the 3rd Annual Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board Housing Summit, which for the first time will be held in person.

This will be a chance for us to listen to and network with colleagues working in the housing sector (although other relevant professionals are also welcome), so we have an accurate and up to date picture of the key local safeguarding issues.

We will also have key speakers to talk about some of the emerging and key themes we see locally, including on homelessness, and Professor Michael Preston-Shoot will present the London centric findings from the 2^nd National Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) Analysis.

Refreshments will be provided.

LSAB Self-Neglect & Hoarding Training

Tuesday 3 December 2024 13:00hrs to 16:00hrs via TEAMS.

There are still places available at this in demand training provided by experts from the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (CADAT). This provides a very detailed understanding of this subject and how best to support those living with these very serious problems. Book Here

National Adult Safeguarding Awareness Campaign - Throughout November 2024

We are half-way through this important campaign period - please get involved and share the links below and encourage professionals across your networks to get involved, improve awareness, and help prevent adult abuse and neglect.

There is a London wide conference on 20 November 9.30am to 2.30pm with some very high profile speakers, which is fully subscribed, but if there are drop-outs you might still be able to sign up for this - please use this link to Register  

We also have a learning programme involving six of the Safeguarding Adults Board in Southeast London (SEL) – this is packed with great events and workshops you can sign up to:

Programme Includes:

• 2^nd National Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) Analysis findings. 15^th November
• Mental Capacity and Safeguarding.
• Domestic Abuse across the life course.
• Safeguarding and the role of the manager.
• Protecting the vulnerable from fraud.
• Drug and alcohol awareness training.

National Safeguarding Adults Awareness Campaign 2024 - SEL Programme

We also have a Lewisham specific programme which includes:

• Female Genital Mutilation Training x 2 dates.
• Self-Neglect & Hoarding x 2 dates.
• A New in-person training course for Professional Curiosity, which we encourage all professionals to consider.

For further information see the Awareness Campaign November 2024 at the top of this page.

It also Carers Rights Day on 21 November 2024 – we are supporting this with x 2 Safeguarding Workshops on that day.

For more information read the Carers Rights Day Lewisham Flyer

Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board: Inter-Agency Briefing 25 October 2024

National News

The Museum of Homelessness has published a new report: Dying Homeless Project 2023 (published October 2024) [Foreword by Professor Michael Preston-Shoot]. Within this report it outlines “evidence of a consistent crisis across the UK”:

• In 2023,1,474 people died whilst homeless in the United Kingdom, that’s one person every six hours.
• Across all forms of homelessness, fatalities increased by 12% vs the 2022 figures.
• 20% more young adults experiencing homelessness completed suicide.
• People experiencing homelessness are at least 3 times more likely to be murdered.
• There is evidence of a consistent crisis across the UK, with ‘deaths of despair’ (drugs, alcohol, or suicide) making up the largest proportion of cause of death in the community of people experiencing homelessness. Where we know cause of death these deaths make up almost half of the total (47%).

Falls are the biggest cause of accidental injury in the home, resulting in a staggering 80% of hospital admissions for accidental injury to people aged 65 and over in the UK. Community-based studies suggest that one in three over-65s, and half of over-80s, will experience at least one fall every year. In many instances Falls will also fit in with the category of Neglect and Acts of Omission which is the no.1 safeguarding issue reported in Lewisham and England. 

ROSPA have issued a toolkit for use in a person's own home which is included on their interactive ROSPA Falls Prevention Hub

In 2023-24 there were more calls to the National Modern Slavery Helpline linked to the social care sector than any other subject. There has been a significant increase in the number of overseas workers being exploited in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking. In response the Local Government Association has now published their Overseas Recruitment Guide for Social Care Providers in England

Local News

The Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board – Annual Report 2023-24 has now been published and includes a summary of the key work the Board has delivered over the previous 12 months, Safeguarding Adults Reviews, relevant data, and the strategic plan for 2024-25. LSAB Annual Report 2023-24

The LSCP Family Help Continuum of Need Document 2024-2025 has also been recently published. This is very important as the language and terminology in Lewisham has been reframed as we develop our Family Help offer. The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the single point of entry for referrals to Lewisham’s Family Thrive Service who provide Family Advice, as well as the Family Help and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams. Lewisham Safeguarding Children Partnership - Lewisham Threshold Document - Continuum of Need (2023-25)

Lewisham Speaking Up have recently published their Autumn Newsletter which is packed full of great news stories and information, including a reference to a new report on Self-Advocacy. 

Africa Advocacy Foundation (AAF) are currently accepting referrals for their Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service. The 'Nuru' VAWG Project provides cultural, language and faith-appropriate support. AAF aim to improve the safety, health and well-being of women and girls in the African diaspora, who are at risk or experiencing domestic and sexual abuse (DSA) in South London. Please see attached, a copy of AAF’s referral form and feel free to contact AAF: vawg@africadvocacy.org  if you need further information.

AAF will also be delivering two Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Training sessions in November, which have been commissioned by LSAB. Details are included below.

Focus on……. Maximising Wellbeing of Unpaid Carers

The Census data from 2021 shows that 19,957 people in Lewisham (7.6 per cent of the population) care for someone without getting paid. Many unpaid carers may not know they can get free support to maintain their health, independence and wellbeing, and to help them care safely and confidently.

Carers are a distinct 'at risk' group as defined in the Care Act 2014 Care and Support Statutory Guidance because of the pressures and challenges they face, and some will become involved in safeguarding related work, often because the care they have offered has inadvertently led to harm.

The local authority commission a dedicated service for unpaid adult carers, young adult carers and young carers. It's called Maximising Wellbeing of Unpaid Carers and provides a range of support including:

• Information, advice and guidance.
• Emotional and practical support.
• Access to financial support and advice.
• Peer support.
• Free training courses. (Carers can also access the relevant LSAB learning activities).         

Since August 2023, this service has been run by Imago - a social action charity with a successful track record of delivering services and projects across London and the south-east of England. To find out more or to get support, visit Imago’s website, call 0300 373 5769 or email ucwellbeing@imago.community.

Unpaid Carers should also be assessed in relation to their needs in line with the requirements of the Care Act 2014, and this can be conducted along with the adult they are caring for.

More details can be found here: Carers UK - Carers Assessments

Learning, Training & Development

National Adult Safeguarding Awareness Campaign - throughout November 2024: Please get involved and share the links across your networks. There is a programme of learning events and activities locally, as well as a wider range of events that anyone can access across 6 South East London boroughs, and a London wide online conference on the 20 November.

The Lewisham programme includes:

• FGM Training delivered by AAF.
• Think Family in a Mental Health Context.
• Self Neglect & Hoarding.
• New training course for Professional Curiosity.
• Networking and Learning event for voluntary and community sector organisations. 

Please see the details here: LSAB Learning Zone

Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board: Inter-Agency Briefing 23 September 2024

National News

The Government have recently published an updated Safeguarding Adults Protocol: Pressure Ulcers and Raising a Safeguarding Concern. This protocol provides a framework for health and care organisations to draw on when developing guidance for staff in all sectors and agencies that may see an individual with a pressure ulcer. If the staff member is concerned that the pressure ulcer may have arisen as a result of poor practice, neglect or abuse, or an act of omission – see here under Neglect and Acts of Omission for local procedures: Lewisham Adult Safeguarding Pathway - Guidance for Making Decisions on Adult Safeguarding Enquiries  

Safeguarding adults protocol: pressure ulcers and raising a safeguarding concern - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk

Beyond the Streets have just published a new resource and launched a free to access training course that explores the concept of ‘survival sex’. The resource and training will equip you with an understanding of the range of issues that can lead to a woman’s involvement in the sex industry. Watch the Launch Video to find out more.

To develop the skills needed to break the silence you can read the free resource (also attached) and or book a space for yourself or your team on the new training (£65pp).

NHS England have now published the national Safeguarding Adults Data Report for 2023-24 which is interactive and allows you to compare Lewisham’s statutory safeguarding statistics with other boroughs and also look at longer-term trends: Safeguarding Adults, England, 2023-24 - NHS England Digital

Nominations for the National Safeguarding Manager’s Network Excellence Awards close on 18 October. Please see the attached email for details of the 8 categories and help to celebrate the great work being delivered in Lewisham. 

Local News

There is an opportunity for anyone working with families in the Borough to attend a free Learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) Workshop on 20 February 2025. See the attached email for details. 

Lewisham’s Combating Drugs Partnership is conducting a brief survey to understand how organisations / services are impacted and addressing the issue of substance misuse in our Borough. Please see attached email and contribute to this important survey as substance misuse is often an underpinning risk linked to Safeguarding Concerns.

The Lewisham Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) Team are in the process of recruiting a network of volunteer Domestic Abuse Champions across Lewisham Services with a particular focus on training others, supporting survivors of domestic abuse, and understanding the challenges of working with perpetrators. If you are interested in being part of this amazing initiative, please see the attached poster and email: vawg@lewisham.gov.uk

Focus on……. Hate Crime Awareness Week 14 to 18 October

Below is an overview of Hate Crimes reported to Police in the 12 months to August 2024.

This year National Hate Crime Awareness Week falls between 14 and 18 October and as part of this Stop Hate UK (Lewisham Council’s commissioned Borough wide hate crime support service) are delivering a Hate Crime Awareness session. This session will also cover how Stop Hate UK supports local partners in Lewisham in providing key services to residents, and for those working in, or visiting Lewisham. The free online session will take place on Thursday 17 October at 10.00hrs: TEAMS Meeting  

See here for more information on local support services and how to report Hate Crimes: London Borough of Lewisham - Stop Hate UK

Learning, Training and Development Events 

All of the Board’s current learning, training and development events and resources can be found here: Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board - LSAB Learning Zone

This includes under the heading on the Learning Zone - Safeguarding Training and Events:

• Online Adult Safeguarding Foundation Level Training Sessions.
• Online Training for Adult Safeguarding Leads or Managers (non-statutory sector).
• Online Modern Slavery - Awareness Raising.

The programme for the National Adult Safeguarding Awareness Campaign in November has also now been completed. This includes a London wide Conference on 20 November 09.30 to 14.15hrs featuring prominent national speakers on a wide variety of subjects.

We also have a comprehensive programme of learning events across the whole of November which we have put together with SAB partners across South-East London, as well as in person events for Lewisham professionals and members of the public during that month.

These can be found on the Learning Zone under the National Adult Safeguarding Awareness – November 2024 tab (also see attached flyer). 

Local sessions include:

• Self-Neglect & Hoarding Training.
• Think Family in a Mental Health Context.
• Female Genital Mutilation Training. 
• Professional Curiosity Training.