Latest News July 2024

Summer is upon us (although the weather still seems to need convincing of that!) any many of us will be taking a well-earned break.

Unfortunately, safeguarding doesn’t stop in summer so if you are taking time off, then please make sure people you are supporting know who to contact in your absence and all systems / records updated so colleagues know where things are up to and what to do.

Protecting people from abuse or neglect can be challenging so it’s important to look after yourself and your own health and wellbeing. This includes taking time off work, taking breaks, managing your workload and working hours and accessing support and supervision from your manager. Remember “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first” - Norm Kelly

Have a great summer!

SSAB Annual Report 2023-24 now published

The SSAB annual report which is now available on our website, is an opportunity to look back at the past 12 months, reflect on what we set out to do and all that has been achieved.

We would like to thank everyone for their contributions. Taking that time to pause and reflect makes us realise how much we’ve achieved collectively – so thank you! 

Carers Assessment & Language

We know that often people who provide unpaid care and support to their loved ones don’t necessarily recognise themselves as ‘a carer’. On top of this, the term assessment seems to suggest that the person may be being tested or assessed in some way.

When discussing carer’s assessments, please be mindful of this and please take time to explain what it is, what’s involved and the benefits for the person of having one. Please reassure them that it won’t affect the benefits they receive, but it is about looking at what support they may need to help them in their caring role and improve their wellbeing and quality of life.  Please see Information for Carers / Family members who provide care or support on the SSAB website or the Gaddum website. Gaddum provide support for carers in Salford.

Recently published – Joint Safeguarding SAR / DHR Susan

A joint Safeguarding Adult Review and Domestic Homicide Review Susan has recently been published. The review was completed following the tragic death of Susan, who died by suicide in July 2020. The review was completed in April 2022 but was only approved by the Home Office in March 2024. Susan had lived in Salford for around 10 weeks at the time of her death, having recently moved from Scotland where she lived with her partner. The Coroner concluded that Susan died by suicide following a self-administered overdose. The review covers a number of learning themes which include domestic abuse, mental health, adverse childhood experiences, cross border working and think family. 

Recently published – Safeguarding Adult Review Francis

A Discretionary Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) Francis was completed following the death of a man in his 50’s. The review identified several learning themes including: exploitation, drug addiction, self-neglect, timeliness in decision making, multi-agency risk management and professional curiosity.

Information Sharing

Information sharing is a fundamental part of partnership working. Not sharing information with partners in a timely manner is recurring theme in reviews both locally and nationally.
Information should be shared with consent wherever possible, however information CAN be shared without consent in certain situations such as:
•    The person lacks mental capacity to make the decision
•    Other people are, or may be at risk, including children
•    Sharing information could prevent a crime
•    The alleged abuser has care and support needs and may also be at risk
•    A serious crime has been committed
•    Staff are implicated
•    The person has mental capacity but may be under duress or being coerced
•    The risk is unreasonably high and meets the criteria for a MARAC (Multi-agency risk assessment conference) referral.
•    A court order or other legal authority has requested the information

Please read the SCIE guidance on information sharing which has recently been updated and is an excellent resource.  There is also information on the SSAB website.

New Think Family / Professional Curiosity resources / webpage

A number of safeguarding themes cut across both children and adults. Jointly with the Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, we have developed some new web pages to host information and resources areas that are relevant to both the children’s and adult’s workforce. Please take a look at these new web pages which contain information on Think Family and Professional Curiosity. They are still being developed so if you have any comments or suggestions, please let us know by e-mailing michelle.hulme@salford.gov.uk or shahanara.begum@salford.gov.uk

Exploitation - Training Needs Feedback Required

We are currently reviewing our exploitation training offer and we need your help.  

Please complete this training needs survey to tell us about your exploitation training needs. We want to hear from anyone who comes into contact with children, young people or adults at risk of exploitation, especially practitioners, volunteers, designated safeguarding leads, managers and strategic leads.

The survey which will take approximately 10 minutes to complete will allow the Joint Exploitation sub-group to analyse what training is currently available and to identify any gaps. It will support the implementation of the Salford’s Joint Exploitation Strategy which aims to ensure that all professionals can recognise exploitation and respond appropriately. 

The survey deadline has been extended to 9th August. Please complete it as soon as possible.

New 7 Minute Briefing - d/Deaf Awareness

Having recently met with members of the d/Deaf community at the Salford d/Deaf Gathering and listening to some of the particular challenges faced by members of the d/Deaf community when communicating with professionals, we have produced a 7 Minute Briefing on d/Deaf Awareness and a plain text version. There is a misconception that d/Deaf people understand written English. Whilst this may be true for some, many others and particularly those who are profoundly Deaf, British Sign Language is their first language and their understanding of written English may be limited.

SSAB Multi-agency Escalation Policy

The SSAB Escalation Policy was developed out of learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews. It provides and process for resolving professional disagreements. Not resolving professional disagreements can lead to drift and delay which can result in people experiencing preventable harm. Please familiarise yourself with the Multi-Agency Escalation Policy.

Safeguarding Adults Week 18th-22nd November

November feels quite a long way off but it will soon be here. The themes for this year’s Safeguarding Adults Week, led by the Ann Craft Trust are:
•    Monday – Look, Listen, Ask – Developing Professional Curiosity
•    Tuesday – Working in partnership: How to work effectively with the people you support
•    Wednesday – Establishing professional boundaries
•    Thursday – Recognising exploitation: The ladder of criminality
•    Friday – Professional and organisational learning

What would you like to see during Safeguarding Adults Week? We would love to hear from you.  Please e-mail your thoughts / ideas / suggestions to the ssab@salford.gov.uk

Housing and Homelessness Partner Briefing Session

On 10th July 2024, colleagues across the Housing Sector in Salford came together to deliver a Housing and Homelessness Spotlight Briefing for multi-agency partners.

The aims were to raise awareness of the current context of housing and homelessness and the increasing challenges locally and to inform partners of the services and support available in the city for individuals and families.  The session which covered a wide range of issues (some listed below) was positively received.

•    Housing Options Service – Homeless Prevention offer & Public Duty To Refer requirement 
•    Homelessness Notification to GP & Education pilot  
•    Joint Protocol for 16 & 17 Year Olds experiencing, or at risk of homelessness 
•    Homeless 18-25 Year Olds Pathway 
•    Supported Housing Service – Support offer & Childrens Services Joint Protocol for families living in temporary accommodation 
•    Registered Providers support offer & safeguarding contribution 
•    Private Sector Housing – Housing Standards / Property Condition support 
•    Damp & Mould procedures & support
•    Safeguarding 

Please see the slides if you wish to learn more.

A package of supporting documents for professionals is also being updated/developed- please look out for this in the coming weeks.

Mental Capacity and Executive Function

In this Community Care Article, Why understanding executive function is critical when working with homeless people, Ellie Atkins, a Manager and Safeguarding Lead for a social work team in Manchester, explores factors affecting executive function in people experiencing multi-exclusion homelessness and suggests what social workers can do differently to try and improve the lives of some of the most misunderstood people in our society.  Ellie looks at the wheel below, which sets out eight dimensions of executive functioning.

Along with NHS Research and Development, Ellie has also produced 3 short videos, which discuss this topic in more detail in relation to a character referred to as ‘Beryl’.

Spotlight on the Assertive Outreach Team (AOT) - Did you know...

The Assertive Outreach Team is a service provided by the Big Life Group under the Achieve Partnership.  The Achieve Partnership is made up of 9 different services with Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) as the lead provider. 

The Assertive Outreach Team (AOT) can do the following:

• Help and support those that do not typically present at Achieve i.e. those with high complex needs/ frequent attenders/ homeless/ repeat non-engagers etc. and motivate them into accessing treatment.
• Be a bridge and seamless path into structured treatment with Achieve by supporting individuals and making the pathway into treatment more simple and effective.
• Collaborate and work alongside partner agencies as a means of offering enhanced support to the individual i.e. joint home visits

They aim to outreach where possible by attending drop ins and carrying out home visits, alongside telephone calls and email, as a means of being more accessible for individuals.  
 
Achieve is for anyone in Salford who is experiencing problems with drugs and/ or alcohol, for anyone who;

• Is worried about their drinking or drug use
• Feels their drinking or drug use is out of control
• Is experiencing medical or mental health problems because of their drinking or drug use
• Think their drinking or drug use could be having negative effects on their family and friends
• Is worried about a person they care about and their drinking and drug use

Referrals can be sent to the Assertive Outreach Team by e-mail to: achieve@thebiglifegroup.com

Please include the person’s name, DOB, address, any risk issues, primary problem substance, and that consent has been obtained from the individual (we will be unable to make contact if consent has not been obtained)

Please could we ask that as much information as possible is provided when referring into AOT. 
You can also contact the team by telephone; the number is 0161 871 2623 (covered by the Admin Team).

Training – Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service

The Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service are offering training to multi-agency partners on a number of topics. 

Welfare Benefits for Children & Families Monday 16th September 10am-12noon
Understanding Benefits for Carer – Friday 27th September 10am-12noon
Introduction to Welfare Benefits – Tuesday 8th October 1-3pm
Understanding Universal Credit – Online – Tuesday 22nd October 2-4pm  

Autism and Suicide Awareness Training

A new training package has been launched around Autism and suicide awareness. The training package was co-produced with autistic people and people bereaved by suicide. It is free and takes about an hour to complete.

Upcoming dates:

• World Mental Health Day 10th October
• National Hate Crime Awareness Week 12-19th October
• Safeguarding Adults Week 18-22 November
• International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25th November

Links to other news

Partners in Salford Latest News
SSCP Latest News

Finally…

If you would like us to include anything in our next bulletin or have any feedback, please e-mail us: ssab@salford.gov.uk

Best wishes
The SSAB Team