Partnership working in action
A recent case shared with the Partnership demonstrated what persistent, compassionate multi-agency safeguarding can achieve. The adult was facing several complex risks and required professionals from different services to coordinate their response. The work highlighted excellent safeguarding practice, including:
• Look beyond the presenting issue and remain professionally curious.
• Recognise concerns early and escalate them through the appropriate route.
• Plan hospital discharge carefully and share relevant information.
• Consider the effects of coercive control and self-neglect.
• Maintain communication and coordination when risk is difficult to resolve.
FOR YOUR PRACTICE Complex safeguarding rarely sits within one organisation. Effective outcomes depend on professionals sharing information, remaining curious and continuing to work together when risks are difficult to resolve.
Turning Safeguarding Adult Review learning into change
Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) learning only matters when it changes practice. As a result of the hard work of all the agencies involved in SAR, Hermione (SAR-Hermione) the recommendations and actions in the report have almost been finalised. The next priority for all agencies involved, and for frontline practitioners, is to ensure improvements are embedded and sustained in operational practice.
FOR YOUR PRACTICE Discuss one relevant learning point from SAR Hermione in team meetings or supervision. Identify what has changed locally and how you will know the change is being sustained.
Our priorities for safeguarding adults
TDSAP is developing its Business Plan to ensure partnership priorities reflect the changing safeguarding environment across Torbay and Devon. These priorities will build on current practice across all agencies, helping practitioners respond consistently to emerging risks, apply learning, and work effectively with partners to improve outcomes for adults. Our priorities moving forward will include:
• Responding to new and emerging safeguarding risks.
• Reflecting national policy and legislative developments.
• Embedding learning from reviews and audits.
• Strengthening quality assurance and performance monitoring.
• Increasing collaboration between partners.
KEY MESSAGE Effective safeguarding depends on each organisation understanding its own responsibilities and its contribution to the wider system.
Safeguarding adults in prison: what partners need to know
Colleagues from His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) recently presented the Adult Safeguarding Charter to the Board and discussed safeguarding in prison settings.
Challenges in the prison environment include recognising concerns, supporting people with health and care needs, addressing health inequalities, and ensuring appropriate support for neurodivergent people.
Strong links between prisons, health and care services, criminal justice agencies, and local safeguarding partners are essential, and these links are evident in Torbay and Devon. TDSAP will continue to explore ways to strengthen them.
FOR YOUR PRACTICE When an adult enters or leaves prison, check that relevant safeguarding information and care needs are communicated promptly to the services involved.
Probation services: keeping sight of safeguarding
Changes to probation services and the implementation of sentencing legislation are part of a shifting national criminal justice landscape. The Partnership is reviewing what these developments could mean locally, particularly for services and safeguarding arrangements for adults at risk. Further information will be shared as the implications become clearer.
Policing: strengthening the response to vulnerability
Devon & Cornwall Police continues its improvement work following its recent inspection which included adults at risk of harm. Priorities include improving responses to repeat victims, understanding cumulative risk and embedding learning from inspection findings.
The inspection emphasised a lesson for all practitioners that individual incidents may show only part of the story. Sharing and using information across agencies can reveal patterns of repeated or escalating harm and support earlier intervention.
FOR YOUR PRACTICE When responding to a new incident, check for previous concerns and relevant information held by partner agencies. Record patterns, not only individual events.
Torbay’s response to their CQC Inspection
Improvement work continues within Torbay Adult Social Care following its recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment (rated as good). Activities include service development, workforce strengthening, governance, quality assurance, and better use of performance information.
The Partnership will continue to maintain oversight of this work and its links to adult safeguarding, with a focus on high-quality, effective support for people who use care and support services.
Making better use of safeguarding data
Professional judgement and strong relationships remain essential, but safeguarding also depends on understanding what the evidence tells us. Recent analysis in Torbay has examined safeguarding concerns and enquiries, national comparisons, and learning from quality audits. Work to improve recording and reporting systems continues. This includes:
• Where are risks increasing?
• Are there patterns that partners need to understand?
• Are some groups or communities experiencing different outcomes?
• Where could earlier intervention make a difference?
FOR YOUR PRACTICE Record concerns clearly and consistently. Good-quality frontline information helps partners identify patterns, test assumptions and improve services.
Looking ahead: local government reorganisation
Proposals for local government reorganisation across Torbay and Devon could bring significant change in the coming years. Although planning is at an early stage, adult safeguarding must remain a priority throughout any changes to local government structures.
TDSAP will monitor developments and consider their potential impact on safeguarding governance, partnership arrangements and services. Strong relationships and clear accountability will remain essential, whatever future structures look like.
Thank you to Sharon O’Reilly
The Partnership extends its thanks and best wishes to Sharon O’Reilly, Deputy Director of Adult Social Services at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, who will leave her current role at the end of August.
Over many years, Sharon has made a significant contribution to adult safeguarding across Torbay and Devon, bringing expertise, commitment and leadership to the Partnership. We thank Sharon for all she has contributed and wish her every success in the future.
Keeping safeguarding everyone’s business
The themes in this edition reinforce a consistent message: effective safeguarding depends on people and organisations working together.
Professional curiosity, information sharing, learning from reviews, service improvement, and better use of data all help partners recognise risk and improve outcomes for adults.
TEAM CONVERSATION Choose one practice point from this edition to discuss at your next team meeting, briefing or supervision session.
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Report a safeguarding concern
Adult safeguarding: Report an adult safeguarding concern in Devon or Torbay
Child safeguarding in Devon: Devon child protection and safeguarding
Child safeguarding in Torbay: Torbay Safeguarding Children Partnership
| IF SOMEONE IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER Call 999. Follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedure and record the action you take. |