ADULT PROTECTION
Welcome to the Adult Protection and Safeguarding page, this will contain information, links to websites and forthcoming events. In order to continue to raise awareness of the issues connected to Adult Protection we will provide current information and promote good practice.
Telford and Wrekin now have a new Access Number for when you need to make an Adult Protection Referral. This number covers Older People’s services ( except Learning Disabilities, Substance Misuse, Hospital Team and Mental Health) and the Duty Officer will direct you to the right team. The new ‘phone no. is 01952- 381280 and is open 9am to 5pm, after this time call the Emergency Duty Team as usual.
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) – Latest
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards – two new guides
AEA has joined up with the National Autistic Society and the British Institute for Learning Disabilities to produce two guidance documents. To download this guidance go to www.elderabuse.org.uk guidance for families and carers and guidance for you can be found on the right side of the home page under headlines.
To subscribe to the MCA DOLS enewsletter or to contribute ideas or suggestions for the next MCA DOLS News, please contact Kate Hardy at kate.hardy@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Introduction of the scheme - The plan is that phased implementation would begin at the ‘go live’ of the MCA DOLS in April 2009 with full commencement in early May 2009. As from April 2009, care homes and hospitals would be required to apply for authorisations. Transitional arrangements would be in place for one month
that allow for an extension of the timescale for standard authorisation assessments from 21 to 42 days; or from 7 to 21 days where a urgent authorisation has been given.
The Codes of practice can be found on the dedicated DOLS web pages at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_085476
The DOLS briefing sheet containing a summary of the MCA DOLS has recently been updated. The new version replaces the earlier version at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_080718
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is now operational
- Increased safeguards have been introduced, such as a wider definition of “Regulated activities”, further enhancing protection of children and vulnerable adults.
- The three former barring lists (POCA, POVA and List 99) have been replaced with two new barred lists administered by the ISA ‘Children’s List’ and ‘Vulnerable Adults List’. Checks of these new lists can be made as part of an Enhanced CRB check.
- Employers, social services and professional regulators have a duty to refer to the ISA any information about individuals who may pose a risk ensuring potential threats to vulnerable groups can be identified and dealt with.
- Criminal penalties are in place for barred individuals who seek or undertake work with vulnerable groups and for employers who knowingly take them on.
- The eligibility criteria for Enhanced CRB checks will be extended to include anyone working in a regulated position (See ISA website for definition of regulated activity).
From July 2010
- From July 2010 new staff or staff changing jobs can be registered with ISA, (registration will be mandatory from November 2010 for new staff and those moving jobs). Those who currently work with vulnerable groups but are staying in their current role will not have to become registered until later in the five year phasing period.
- Employers and voluntary organisations working with children and vulnerable adults cannot recruit workers who are not ISA-registered.
- From July 2010, individuals can apply for ISA-registration and a CRB check (including an ISA check) on one new application form.
- When a person becomes ISA-registered they will be continuously monitored and their status reassessed against any new information which may come to light.
From November 2010
- So as not to disrupt normal recruitment over the traditionally busy summer period, the legal requirement for employees to register with the VBS and employers to check their status will come into force in November 2010.
From 2011
- Existing employees and volunteers with no CRB check must apply for ISA registration.
- Existing employees and volunteers with CRB checks will also need to apply for ISA registration, starting with staff whose CRB checks are the oldest.
To download the NEW ISA Referral Form (October 2009) go to Independent Safeguarding Authority www.isa-gov.org.uk
Non Statutory Sector Disciplinary Policy
Non Statutory Sector Disciplinary Policy – Temporary withdrawal from the Website pending review
In light of ACAS issuing new guidance in 2009 relating to disciplinary investigations we have decided to withdraw the policy from the website pending review.
If you have adopted the Non Statutory Sector Disciplinary Policy produced by Shropshire Partners in Care in conjunction with Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council you may now need to review use of that policy in line with the guidance from ACAS www.acas.org.uk
You may wish to refer to your legal advisors to assess whether your current practice is in line with the new guidance.
New Guidance for Use of the Multi Agency Adult Protection Policy
A new document has been approved by the Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Board (Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin) in 2009 for use by the Independent Sector. The document signposts staff into the main Multi - Agency Adult Protection Policy and Procedure Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council. The document can be used with your logos in your own organisations policy and procedures file.
Please click here to download the policy.
Access the Multi-Agency Adult Protection Policy and Procedure Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council
Please go to www.shropshire.gov.uk or www.telford.gov.uk and type adult protection into the search engine. Please ensure that your staff team have access to this Policy and Procedure at all times.
The Multi-Agency Adult Protection Polciy and Procedure Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin has now been revised (October 2009) the document below is a summary of the changes that are now in place.
Please click here to download the summary.
Action on Elder Abuse Conference - Safeguarding and Widening the Agenda
Karen Littleford and Stephanie Holden (Adult Protection Training and Development Workers) recently represented Shropshire Partners in Care at the annual Action on Elder Abuse Conference ‘Safeguarding – Widening the Agenda’. This took place on 23rd and 24th March 2009 at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham University. Sarah Hollinshead – Bland, Peter Clarke, Judith McGillivray and Shelia Turner also represented Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council at the event.
Speakers at the conference included Phil Hope, Minister of State for Care Services, Baroness Young (QCQ), Veronica Monks (Department of Health), Neil Hunt (Alzheimer’s Society) Penny Furness – Smith (ADASS), Caroline Ellis (RADAR) Lynne Phair and Dr Hazel Heath (West Sussex PCT), Bill Nicol (Suffolk County Council) David Hunt (WASH) Chris Tansley (Chair, UNISON). Subjects included forming effective partnerships with the police, the personalisation agenda, how to make safeguarding a reality within the NHS, Independent Safeguarding Authority, implications for safeguarding as the CQC comes into being.
Karen and Sarah delivered two workshops on the Non Statutory Sector Disciplinary Policy developed in Shropshire with Debs Fritzl from Adelphi Care Services Ltd. There will be a follow on article to the workshop in the next Action Points (Action on Elder Abuse Members magazine).
It was highlighted that initial results from the No Secrets consultation (which Shropshire Partners in Care were involved with via the Adult Protection Team, Shropshire Council and the Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Board, Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council) will be released by the Department of Health (DoH) at the end of April 2009. Up to 500 responses were received by the DoH on this guidance with the majority of respondents calling for specific Adult Protection legislation. Any changes to the guidance or the introduction of legislation will impact on the Adult Protection procedures in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
To view the conference PowerPoint presentations click the following link
http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/Conferences/National%202009/Nat%20Conf%202009.htm
Other information including other forthcoming events is also available on the Action on Elder Abuse please visit www.elderabuse.org.uk
Independent Safeguarding Authority Road Shows 2009
The Home Office has announced dates for the Vetting & Barring Scheme Information Roadshow Series, presented in association with the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health.
The series will demonstrate how the Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority will deliver the new scheme as laid down by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. The events will explain the scope of the scheme and impact on employers, voluntary organisations and service users, and provide an opportunity for delegates to have their questions answered. The events are free to attend and open to all interested parties,
however, places are limited and must be booked in advance see the website for dates www.isa-gov.org.uk
Vetting and Barring Information Road Show, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, July 2009
Stephanie Holden, Karen Littleford, Jessica Sillars and Kallista Skelton represented SPIC at the Vetting and Barring Information Road Show, Llandudno. The presentation and frequently asked questions distributed through the event can be accessed by going to www.isa-gov.org.uk (select events on the menu bar and then media (on the left of the page) For the article produced following the event please click here.
Kallista Skelton, Membership and CRB Officer, Jess Sillars, Membership Support and Stephanie Holden, Adult Protection Training and Development Worker (T & W) in Llandudno.