What formal structures are in place to ensure effective safeguarding in Adult

Care Services?

Alan HadwinPrincipal Officer (Safeguarding)

Adult Care Services

Hertfordshire County Councilwww.hertsdirect.org

Safeguarding Adults in Hertfordshire

Three main areas of activity:

Legislation to protect individuals

Concerns about individuals

Concerns about service providers

Legislation

Two important pieces of legislation:

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Mental Capacity Act)

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act

(Vetting and Barring Scheme)

Concerns about Individuals

Adult Care Services/HPFT lead the investigation

ReferralStrategy meetingInvestigationProtection planReview

Serious Concerns Procedure

Used when there are concerns about the care of a number of vulnerable adults in the same service.

Action plan agreed with provider to set outWhat is to be improved.By whom.By when (timescale with a date).How and by whom the improvements will be

monitored.

Governance

Quarterly performance reports to ACSMB/CQC

Management and supervision of investigating teams

Quarterly external practice auditsRegional auditsSerious case review process

Key Challenges

Direct involvement of users and carers in investigation process

Measuring how we achieve good outcomes for individuals

Tension between the personalisation agenda and safeguarding