4.1. Sussex policy, guidance, and toolkits

4.1.1. Safeguarding Adults Boards

Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs) are multi-agency partnerships that are committed to the effective safeguarding of adults in their respective local areas.

A vital aspect of the work of a SAB is to ensure information is available to the public, staff working in partner agencies, adults with care and support needs and informal carers. A SAB does not undertake operational safeguarding work.

There are three SABs in Sussex: East Sussex, Brighton & Hove, and West Sussex. Each SAB is chaired by an Independent Chair and has subgroups to progress particular work-streams and activity relating to the priorities agreed by the respective Board.

To ensure consistency of approach and to reflect the shared Safeguarding Adult Policy and Procedures, the Independent Chairs and Board Managers of the three SABs meet regularly to adopt shared practices where appropriate.

Purpose:

The Care Act 2014 sets out the core purpose of a SAB as ensuring that local safeguarding arrangements are effective and take account of the views of the local community.

In setting out to achieve this, it must:

• Publish an annual report outlining its work and findings of any Safeguarding Adults Reviews to member organisations and the public.
• Publish a strategic plan each financial year with key objectives, consulting with Healthwatch and developed with local community involvement. The SAB must also take account of the views of people who use care and support, families, and carer representatives.     
• Undertake any Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs).

4.1.2. Safeguarding Adults Reviews

Formerly known as Serious Case Reviews, Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) are now a statutory duty under the Care Act for Safeguarding Adults Boards to undertake. This is when:

• an adult 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
• an adult is still alive but has experienced serious neglect or abuse and there is concern that partner agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult.

The purpose of having a Safeguarding Adults Review is not to reinvestigate or to apportion blame, it is to:

• establish whether there are any lessons to be learnt from the circumstances of the case, about the way in which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard adults
• review the effectiveness of procedures
• inform and improve local inter-agency practice
• improve practice by acting on learning, and
• highlight good practice.

The Sussex Safeguarding Adults Review Protocol is shared between the East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Boards, and outlines the procedure for making a referral. It can be found on each of the Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board websites. Any professional can make a referral via secure email. Staff will usually find it helpful to discuss their concerns with their manager prior to making a referral. The Safeguarding Adults Review referral form is included as an appendix to the protocol.

4.1.3. Safeguarding Adults: what to do if you think someone is being abused, neglected, or exploited

The Sussex Safeguarding Adults Thresholds Guidance for Professionals (opens in a new window) contains information on signs and indicators of abuse and neglect and what should be reported as a safeguarding concern.

Any concerns about modern slavery should always be reported.

This thresholds document is to be used across Sussex to support professionals, partners, and providers to decide on whether to report a safeguarding concern for an adult with care and support needs It also helps differentiate between quality issues and safeguarding and provides alternative actions that can be considered.

This guidance is for support when assessing and managing risks, and only contains some examples. You should always consider the individual circumstances of each situation and use your professional judgement when deciding on the best course of action.

Our safeguarding leaflet provides information on what to do if you think someone is being abused, neglected or exploited:

• Pan Sussex Adult Safeguarding Leaflet (PDF, 162KB)