Safeguarding

Whose business is it anyway?

Randal McHugh

Trust Adult Safeguarding Specialist

The role of the TASS

• Part of the governance arrangements of the Trust.

• Oversee the implementation and quality assurance of Safeguarding policies.

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all vulnerable people engaged in Trust services

• Be actively involved and in the coordination and management of potential or suspected abuse

The Safeguarding role extends across all sectors

• Community• Acute• Nursing• Residential• Supported living• Criminal Justice system

Who is involved in complex cases?

• DHSSPS• HSCB• Trusts• PHA• DBS

Coroners Office• Health and Safety Executive• Community, Private/voluntary sector/employers• Commissioner for older people• RQIA• Members of the public• Professional regulatory bodies• BSO

Trust Nursing Home

Residential home

Total

SEHSCT 60 52 112

NHSCT 68 41 109

BHSCT 51 39 80

WHSCT 38 37 75

SHSCT 52 16 68

Total 269 185 434

Trust Nursing Home

Residential home

Total

SEHSCT 2499 1091 3590

NHSCT 3205 974 4179

BHSCT 2010 1102 3112

WHSCT 1703 591 2294

SHSCT 2330 410 2740

Total 11747 4168 15915

Independent Sector Homes

Number of registered beds

Challenges of coordinating a complex investigation (Multiagency)

• Who takes the lead?• Differences in organisational structures• Differences organisational governance

structures.• Establishing effective communication

infrastructures across a wide range of stakeholders

• Negotiating delegated responsibility and accountability at each stage of the process.

• Managing the media( from a public interest to sensationalised reporting)

• Political

Challenges for Trusts

• Different organisational structures within Trusts• Consistency in the application of the regional policies

and procedures and the surrounding governance arrangements.

• Complexities of coordinating other public sector agencies outside Trust boundaries

• Sharing the Learning• How services are commissioned within Trusts-

Independent sector service provision. Ensuring that safeguarding procedures are embedded in the Statutory & Independent sectors.

• Resource intense • Implications for service provision

Good News!!

• Safeguarding has been given recognition and priority from HSCB

• There has been investment year on year to support structures to deliver safeguarding agenda.

• Increase in self referral from community/voluntary sector

• Increased awareness in grass roots practice in relation to safeguarding.

• Number of cases that have been successfully investigated and managed safely.

• Moving towards the development of a serious case review process.

No room for complacency !!

We have learned through the process• The need for continued effective

interagency working• Highly developed communication

systems that reach across organisations and Trusts.

• The need to promote public awareness• The need for organisations to be open

and transparent.

Whose business is it??

“Safeguarding is the business of every one”

Edwin Poots Northern Ireland Minister Of Health