Improving adult safeguarding practice in the Southern Trust
17/12/2018
We hosted a Risk and Recovery in Adult Safeguarding Conference with the Local Adult Safeguarding Partnership (LASP) members. The event, to improve adult safeguarding practice in the Southern Trust was attended by staff and LASP partner agencies.
The conference focused on how best to support the recovery of adults at risk who have been harmed. The workshops included enabling organisations to recover after an investigation, trauma impact and recovery in adult safeguarding, balancing employer responsibilities with the duty to care and sharing the experience of a peer education with a group of service users who completed a ‘Keeping Safe’ programme.
Keynote speaker was Dr Margaret Flynn, Chair of the National Independent Safeguarding Board in Wales and joint editor of the Journal of Adult Protection. Dr Flynn has also chaired the case review into the physical and psychological abuse suffered by people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View Hospital in South Gloucestershire.
Dr Flynn commented after the conference: "A day considering risks and recovery in adult safeguarding is bound to reveal examples of harms as well as heart lifting examples of the best of humanity. It was inspiring listening to ‘On the spectrum’ and hearing the back story to their combined talents. The awards ceremony for people with learning disabilities was important in recognising their learning achievements in safeguarding and their roles as conscientious citizens. The vision and judgement of the professionals who made these contributions possible was also given expression in the ‘Food for thought’ drama. This sets out the wisdom and necessity of making connections and listening to understand the aspirations in people's hearts and minds."
Paul Morgan, Executive Director of Social Work, Southern Trust said: “The Trust plays a lead role in preventing, detecting and providing protection to adults at risk of harm and in need of protection.
“The conference was a great opportunity to share examples of best practice and partnership work taking place locally and nationally. It’s so important that we continue to hold events such as this, as it keeps professionals and members of the public updated on the issues facing our communities and how organisations and agencies can collaborate to keep people safe. The event also provided useful feedback which will enable key partners to develop strategies that meet the needs of local people.”
To find out more about the Adult Safeguarding Team contact: 028 3741 2334 or Email: adultsafeguard.team@southerntrust.com
