1. Introduction
The Communication and Engagement Strategy provides an overview of how Torbay and Devon Safeguarding Adults Partnership (TDSAP) will communicate and engage across our communities, with partner organisations and with citizens.
2. Purpose
The TDSAP will use a range of ways to ensure people who live, work or visit Torbay and Devon are aware of what ‘safeguarding’ means. Everyone should understand what abuse, exploitation, harm and neglect is, and how to seek help if they are concerned a person is being harmed.
The ways we will communicate with people will include:
- safeguarding events
- campaigns on specific issues
- issuing regular newsletters
- posting information on the websites
- using social media to promote campaigns and events and to share information
The TDSAP’s strategic plan has a strong focus on communication and engagement and aims to achieve the following:
- An effective Communications Strategy in place, agreed by all TDSAP Partners.
- Assurances received from partners that they are involving and listening to people about their experience of safeguarding.
- Assurances received from partners in relation to ‘Making Safeguarding Personal’ to ensure that safeguarding is person-led and outcome-focussed.
- Awareness of safeguarding will be improved within diverse community groups and with ethnic minoritized people.
- Improved awareness amongst professionals and across organisations of the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion.
- A continued investment and engagement with community groups to ensure that co-production and co-design is central to continual improvement.
Published safeguarding material will be available in an accessible format with easy read versions and a range of languages available.
3. How we will work
We will work applying the following standards:
- Communication is clear and open.
- Information is accessible to everyone.
- Plain English is used (for example, avoiding jargon and acronyms) and give clear explanations where this is not possible.
- Promoting equality and valuing diversity is central to the provision of information.
- Information is kept up to date and accurate.
- Effective consultation and engagement across all partner organisations and the wider voluntary and community sector.
When communicating and engaging with different groups, effective planning must ensure that the messages relayed meet the required standard and are appropriate to the needs of the audience. Appendix 1 provides details of the various ways that the TDSAP is able to communicate with people.
We will make sure that we:
- know who the audience is and what they want to see
- identify the key messages to be shared
- consider the format with which people wish the information to be communicated
- identify where information is to be distributed
- understand how information will be used
- ensure that we are clear about the outcomes we wish to achieve by communicating a specific issue
- assess when information materials need to be removed or reviewed
- actively facilitate opportunities to involve people with lived experience of safeguarding when producing information
The TDSAP Business Activity Plan will detail the specific activities required to deliver on this Communications Strategy. The Business Activity Plan will be shared regularly with members of the Operational Delivery Group (ODG) and will drive the agendas or focus of the TDSAP sub groups.
4. Who is the audience?
The people with whom we communicate and engage are:
- people who use services and wider groups of people in our communities, including family carers
- professionals and staff working across our area as well as voluntary and community sector organisations
- board members, sub groups and staff from within their respective organisations
The TDSAP aims to raise their profile and increase awareness of key issues which promote the safeguarding of adults with care and support needs across Torbay and Devon.
5. Measuring success
Measuring the success of any campaign or event is useful and will lead into reviewing and updating future communications and engagements. Ways to measure this will include:
- numbers of visitors and page visits to the TDSAP website
- numbers in attendance at events, for example, workshops, conferences, briefings
- feedback from partners
- partner contributions to TDSAP communications
- coverage in partner publications
- implemented learning from SARs and other means, from across the partnership
- improved awareness of safeguarding and safeguarding issues
Appendix 1: Different ways to communicate or engage with groups
Service user or potential service
Use:
- Annual report and strategic plans
- Website
- Leaflets and posters
- Social media
- Newsletter
- Learning events, webinars or conferences
Carers, advocates or family
Use:
- Annual report and strategic plans
- Website
- Leaflets and posters
- Social media
- Newsletter
- Learning events, webinars or conferences
Partner organisations
Use:
- Annual report and strategic plans
- Website
- Leaflets and posters
- Board, sub groups or task and finish groups
- Social media
- Newsletter
- Learning events, webinars or conferences
Staff
Use:
- Annual report and strategic plans
- Website
- Leaflets and posters
- Board, sub groups or task and finish groups
- Social media
- Newsletter
- Learning events, webinars or conferences
Service provider
Use:
- Annual report and strategic plans
- Website
- Board, sub groups or task and finish groups
- Social media
- Newsletter
- Learning events, webinars or conferences
Wider community
Use:
- Annual report and strategic plans
- Website
- Leaflets and posters
- Board, sub groups or task and finish groups
- Social media
- Newsletter
- Learning events, webinars or conferences
Partnership board
Use:
- Annual report and strategic plans
- Website
- Board, sub groups or task and finish groups
- Social media
- Newsletter
- Learning events, webinars or conferences