Unit name: Safeguarding and Protection in Care Settings
Learning outcome: 4. Understand the national and local context of safeguarding and protection from abuse
Assessment criteria: 4.2 Explain the roles of different agencies in safeguarding and protecting individuals from abuse
Several agencies work in collaboration with regards to safeguarding and protecting individuals from abuse. This is legislated in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Care Act 2014.
Local authorities must set up a Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs) which have representation from the local authority, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and the Police. Other partners may also sit on the board.
The SAB is responsible for safeguarding in the local region and they should work in partnership to prevent abuse and neglect locally, raise awareness and oversee local safeguarding. They are also responsible for Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) which investigate serious cases of abuse in their locality. These were previously known as Serious Case Reviews.
The Care Quality Commission is responsibly for regulating and inspecting registered care providers. They have the powers to close down services in serious cases.
The Police force is responsible for investigating allegations of abuse and charging abusers and the Crown Prosecution Sevice (CPS) is responsible for prosecuting abusers.
Care providers must have agreed ways of working that include a safeguarding policy and procedure and a whistleblowing policy procedure. They must ensure that their staff are trained in safeguarding and spotting the signs of abuse and work in a person-centred way that reduces the likelihood of abuse.