Safeguarding is everyone’s business
Working in partnership to enable the people of Torbay and Devon to live free from abuse and neglect, and to promote the message that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility’
Latest from the Partnership Board (from Paul Northcott)
This last quarter has seen us preparing for the inspections in both Torbay and Devon by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). As a Partnership, we have felt confident that our structure and processes are robust and that they would withstand any scrutiny as part of this inspection. We are particularly proud of the work that has been carried out by all of you to ensure that the learning from our Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) has been embedded into frontline practice and training, and we will continue to collaborate with professionals across Torbay and Devon to ensure these changes make a practical difference in people’s lives. Please remember the resources available on our Partnership website, which you all have access to and can use to brief others in your organisations. There is always room for improvement, and we are now focused on securing assurance from senior leaders on the Board that safeguarding remains a priority for them and the organisations they represent. We will also be working more closely with the people who use our services to improve the way we all work.
Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs)
The TDSAP has published six SARs so far in 2025, all of which can be found on our website here. Each of these SARs includes a learning brief. This will include a summary of the SAR, learning points as well as questions for you to consider in your practice.
Of the six published SARs, four were relating to self-neglect. We have also published additional resources to support practice in this area which were developed following the conference in June. These can found on our website.
SAR Thomas is scheduled to be published on 11th December.
Personal story at the Board: solutions focussed approach
At the TDSAP Board meeting on 16th September 2025, Natasha Round (Experienced Social Worker) attended to present a personal story in relation to a lady with care and support needs, where a ‘Solutions Focussed Approach’ was adopted.
Board members heard how Lily, a lady in her late 20s with a learning disability who was overweight and severely self-neglecting, responded positively when Natasha introduced a ‘Solution Focussed Approach’ with her.
A ‘Solution Focussed Approach’ is a short-term, goal-focused, evidence-based approach that works with the person to bring about positive change, by constructing solutions rather than focusing on the person’s problems. The approach is designed to bring out the positive emotions in people and is future-oriented to help motivate the desire for positive change.
Natasha described to the Board how she was able to build up a detailed picture of how things might be different for Lily, to help her actually visualise the ‘change she wanted to see’.
Natasha worked with Lily to build small do-able steps, which enabled Lily to be the expert in her own situation, as the ideas for change came from Lily herself.
A ‘Solutions Focussed Approach’ develops and builds hope for the person.
Natasha further explained how, in certain circumstances, this approach may allow practitioners to be more efficient with the time they spend working alongside each person, as it’s a short term approach that gives long term results.
For Lily, this resulted in her receiving a grant for a wet room with a shower chair, this meant that her motivation to improve her lifestyle had begun.
Lily had come up with a solution that was person centred for her, working with Natasha in this way had developed and installed her own motivation to change.
For further information in relation to a Solutions Focussed Approach, please visit the TDSAP website by clicking here or the Zebra Collective website by clicking here
Key dates
Safeguarding awareness week 17-21 November 2025
Our Community Engagement Group has led on compiling a resource pack for agencies across the partnership footprint which includes helpful resources regarding awareness raising of safeguarding. This has been shared with all agencies across the partnership footprint to be used in organisations as appropriate to support the theme of prevention before harm occurs. More information can be found on the Ann Craft Trust website here.