Issue - meetings

To give a summary of the current key local and national policy and practice regarding Adult Safeguarding.

Helen Constantine presented the report on adults safeguarding, an information item to give a snapshot of recent work, forthcoming legislative changes and the national position. It was likely that a new suite of safeguarding indicators would be introduced, including one around outcomes, and there was a need to look at how outcomes were measured and reported. Among the issues covered, it was reported that Haringey was the only London borough to have a Joint Establishment Concerns policy and procedure in place – this had been developed with the CCG as a means to manage the investigation of care providers, and would be formally launched in June. The London Safeguarding Adults Network was very interested in the Joint Establishment Concerns policy and procedure, and was looking to adopt this on a pan-London basis.

·        It was noted that safeguarding was accountable to the Health and Wellbeing Board, and the annual report would be presented to the Board.

·        In response to a question regarding equal opportunities, and what work had been done to ensure that all communities were being reached within the Council’s safeguarding work, it was reported that the service was currently drafting an equalities impact assessment as part of the prevention strategy, which would be circulated for comment shortly as part of the consultation on this document. The importance of keeping equalities issues in mind routinely as part of this work was emphasised.

·        The Board noted with surprise the prevalence of instances of financial abuse, and it was report that this was a common issue nationally. There were concerns that this situation may become worse in the current economic climate.

NOTED