Latest News May 2026
May 2026
Dear Colleagues,
Last week, an extraordinary meeting of the Salford Safeguarding Adults Board was held online following the decision of our Independent Chair, Francine Thorpe, to step down from her role. Francine has served as Independent Chair of the Board for four years and has brought a wealth of experience, commitment, and leadership to the partnership. We would like to thank Francine for her significant contribution and dedication to the board during her time with us.
Arrangements to appoint a new Independent Chair are currently underway, and we will provide an update once further details are confirmed.
The SSAB Team
Learning from SAR 'NAT' (2025)
The Salford Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) has published a briefing document outlining key learning from the Safeguarding Adult Review relating to “Nat” (2025).
Safeguarding Adult Reviews are conducted to understand what happened in complex cases and to identify how agencies can work more effectively together to protect adults at risk. The purpose is to support learning and improvement across the system.
The ‘Nat’ briefing highlights several key review themes for practitioners, including:
• Voice of the adult
• Domestic abuse in older adults
• Direct payments and risks when family members are personal assistants
• Carer stress and the absence of carer assessments
• Safeguarding thresholds and escalation
• Professional curiosity and supervision
• Family dynamics and involvement in support planning
• Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), coercion and control
• Missed opportunities to safeguard
These themes reflect the importance of working collaboratively, recognising escalating concerns, and ensuring that safeguarding responses remain person-centred and informed by the adult’s circumstances.
Colleagues are encouraged to read the briefing and consider how this learning can be applied within their own roles and services.
👉 Read the full briefing here:
SAR Nat 2025 | Salford Safeguarding Adults Board
Learning from DARDR Dylan
The Salford Community Safety Partnership has published a Domestic Abuse Related Death Review (DARDR) relating to “Dylan” (2025).
This review examines the tragic death of Dylan (pseudonym), who died by suicide in August 2022 following a prolonged period of coercive and controlling behaviour within an intimate same sex relationship.
The review considers the involvement of agencies, wider contextual factors, and identifies learning to improve how services respond to domestic abuse and support those at risk.
Suicide Prevention in a Domestic Abuse Context – Online Training
A key learning from the Domestic Abuse Related Death Review (DARDR) relating to Dylan was the strong link between domestic abuse, mental health and suicidality, and the need to better understand how these risks intersect.
In response, we are pleased to promote a series of specialist online training sessions delivered by Confident Conversations, focusing on suicide prevention within a domestic abuse context.
Evidence shows that more victim survivors of domestic abuse die by suicide than at the hands of their abuser. This highlights the vital role that all staff and volunteers play in recognising risk, responding appropriately, and supporting individuals safely. This training programme has been designed to build confidence, awareness, and practical skills across a range of roles.
Three Levels of Training
The programme is delivered across three tiers, allowing participants to choose the level that best fits their role:
• Recognise (45 minutes)
Ideal for anyone who may have brief contact with individuals, such as reception staff, administrators, volunteers, and frontline workers. This session focuses on spotting warning signs, understanding risk, and knowing when to raise concerns as part of safeguarding.
• Respond (90 minutes)
Designed for those who may find themselves in direct conversations where suicide risk is present. This level supports participants to respond with confidence, communicate effectively, and manage the emotional impact of these interactions.
• Reach In (3.5 hours)
Aimed at practitioners with ongoing responsibility for supporting individuals, including roles such as IDVAs, social workers, housing officers, and refuge staff. This session explores longer-term safety planning, managing risk in the context of domestic abuse, and sustaining safe, supportive practice.
Booking Information⚠️ Places are limited and early booking is strongly encouraged.
To view upcoming dates and request a place, please visit the SSAB Upcoming Training page.
Have Your Say: Voice of the Practitioner Survey
The Salford Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) is inviting individuals who directly provide or facilitate care and support to adults at risk across Salford to take part in the Voice of the Practitioner survey.
This is your opportunity to share your experiences, insights, and views on safeguarding practice—helping to shape how services work together and improve outcomes for adults across the city. Your feedback is vital in ensuring that learning leads to meaningful change.
⏳ There is still time to respond
If you are reading this, your voice matters. Whether you work frontline, in a support role, or as part of a wider service, your perspective is important.
Let’s make sure the voices of those working directly with adults at risk are heard loud and clear
✅ Do it today – don’t delay
Baroness Casey calls for ‘moment of reckoning’ on adult social care)
Baroness Louise Casey has warned that England’s adult social care system is fragmented, underfunded and lacks clear accountability, with families often left to navigate services alone.
She stressed that social care has never had a defining “creation moment” like the NHS, and called for a national debate on what the system should provide, how it is funded, and who is responsible.
Alongside longer-term reform, she urged immediate action on dementia, motor neurone disease (MND) and adult safeguarding, including a national safeguarding board and a fast track “care passport” for people with MND.
👉 Read the full article: Casey Commission press release
Fire Service Highlights Home Fire Safety
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is reminding residents of the importance of home fire safety, supported by a new video offering practical advice to help people stay safe.
GMFRS works with partners and communities to prevent fires and strengthen joint working to reduce risk. The service is promoting Home Fire Safety Assessments (HFSAs) and encouraging referrals to ensure those at higher risk receive the right support.
There is a particular focus on supporting vulnerable residents, including people with disabilities and those with hearing loss.
All partner organisations are encouraged to adopt the ‘Seven Simple Steps approach’ approach and support frontline staff to attend GMFRS training, helping to identify risks and keep people safe in their homes.
Residents and professionals are encouraged to watch the home fire safety video for more information.
Training and Learning Opportunities
Looking to refresh your safeguarding knowledge or explore a new topic? Visit our Upcoming Training page. Here you’ll find details of upcoming safeguarding sessions and can request a place directly.
To make sure you never miss an opportunity, sign up to our Training Distribution List and receive updates straight to your inbox:
📩 Request to be added to the list
Links to other news
If you would like us to include anything in our next bulletin or have any feedback, please e-mail us at ssab@salford.gov.uk
Salford Safeguarding Adult Board (SSAB)
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