Agenda item

To review the annual report of the Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board and to consider the Strategic Plan Priorities for 2016/17.  

Dr Adi Cooper, Independent Chair of Haringey’s Safeguarding Adults Board, introduced the report as set out.

Dr Cooper advised the Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) was a statutory body. The Board ensured that agencies worked together to help keep adults in Haringey safe from harm and to protect the rights of citizens to be safeguarded under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Human Rights Act 1998. 

During the discussion, a number of issues were discussed, including:

-       Safeguarding principles set out by government in statutory guidance accompanying the Care Act 2014.

-       The Board’s Strategic Plan 2015-18, focusing on priorities that had been set for 2016-17 and progress that had been made as of November 2016.

-       The roles and composition of the Board’s sub-group and work that had been undertaken during 2015/16.

-       The use of data in relation to safeguarding issues and how this information was monitored locally and nationally. The differences between statutory safeguarding enquiries and non statutory enquiries were also considered.

-       The role of the Adult Social Care Integrated Access team (IAT) in terms of providing a single point of access for reporting adults safeguarding concerns.

-       Work that was taking place to update policies and procedures to reflect changes in the law as a result of the Care Act 2014.

-       The aims and objectives of Haringey’s safeguarding Adults Multi Agency Information Sharing Protocol.

-       An update on a Section 42 enquiry, undertaken following a BBC London report which reported there had been a lack of care for an elderly lady living at home with dementia. The Panel was informed the enquiry would enable all parties involved to identify learning and improvements to inform future practice. It was noted the learning from the safeguarding enquiry would be reported to the Safeguarding Adults Board in due course.

In response to questions, Dr Cooper explained the Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) sub-group had received three referrals for consideration during of 2015/16. Following evaluation of these, against the statutory requirements and in line with the Board’s SAR protocol, it was noted HSAB had commissioned one SAR and that this would be reported on during 2016/17.  

In terms of abuse location, the Panel was informed that abuse could happen anywhere. For example, in someone’s own home, in a public place, in a hospital or a care home. It was noted that abuse could happen when someone lived alone or with others and it was explained  that it was important to gain a better understanding of abuse locations and the circumstances of abuse, including the wider context such as whether others may be at risk of abuse, whether others had witnessed abuse and the role of family members and paid staff or professionals. 

The Panel supported the granular data analysis, being carried out by the Quality Assurance Sub Group, and agreed that it was important to gain a better understanding of the circumstances of abuse and to establish whether there were locations that should be identified for action or strategy development.

The Panel went on to discuss a number of issues and it was  

AGREED:

(a)  That the criteria for when the Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) Sub Group must, or may, commission a SAR should be circulated to Panel members by the Independent Chair of Haringey’s Safeguarding Adults Board.

(b)  That, following consideration by the Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board, a summary of the learning arising from the Section 42 enquiry, undertaken following concerns about a local care provider and self neglect, should be circulated to Panel members by the Independent Chair of Haringey’s Safeguarding Adults Board.

(c)  That the Assistant Director for Commissioning be asked to provide Panel Members with further information, via email, to clarify how information concerning “how to raise a concern” is shared with care homes, domiciliary care, nursing homes and residential homes.

(d)  That, the Panel supported the granular data analysis being carried out by the Quality Assurance Sub Group concerning “abuse locations”. The Panel agreed that this work was very important to ensure a better understanding of the circumstances of abuse and to establish whether there were locations e.g. the alleged victims own home that should be identified for action or strategy development.

(e)  That the findings from the “abuse location” granular data analysis, and any actions taken as a result, be reported back to the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel as part of the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report and Strategic Plan item for 2016/17.