Guidance Eight - The role of the Safeguarding Manager
Introduction
(last updated: 21/01/2008)
The Safeguarding Manager is responsible for making the decision about whether a referral should be dealt with under these procedures. When a decision is made to place a referral into a multi agency context because a Safeguarding Assessment is required, they are the person responsible for managing all of the potential investigations.
The Safeguarding Manager will come from the relevant team within Adult Social Care either in the City or County, depending on where the allegation took place (for more details on this, see Guidance 17 - Inter Authority Arrangements), or the Healthcare Trust when they have line management responsibility for Integrated Teams.The Safeguarding Manager will be a person who is managing workloads in a community team such as a Team Manager or Team Leader of a Social Care or integrated team. The level of seniority should be documented in each Local Authorities internal Safeguarding Adults Procedures. Whilst it is acknowledged that those acting in the role of Safeguarding Manager should have received specific training, for practical reasons this is not always possible. Support and supervision should be in place to support all Safeguarding Managers.
Safeguarding Decision
| The timescale for making the ‘Decision’ about whether a safeguarding assessment is required is: By the end of the working day following the one on which the safeguarding adults referral was made. |
When a referral is made into Adult Social Care the Safeguarding Manager will make a decision about whether a Safeguarding Assessment is required.
To do this they will need to consider:
- The information received in the referral;
- Historical information which may be available, including allegations of past abuse;
- ‘Is a Referral Required?’ using the guidance in this document;
- The views of the alleged victim (see below and Mental Capacity Act Guidance);
- The context and environment of the allegation
Capacity of the Vulnerable Adult
In deciding whether a Safeguarding Assessment is required, the rights of the vulnerable adult to make choices and take risks must be considered. So too must their capacity to make decisions about arrangements for investigating or managing the abusive situation in line with the Nottinghamshire Multi Agency Mental Capacity Act Policy and Procedure. The vulnerable adult’s capacity is the key to action. If someone has capacity to remain in an abusive situation and chooses to do so, this limits the help that he or she may be given. It does not, however, limit the action that may be needed to protect others who are at risk of harm. For more details on assessing capacity see appendix Eleven, Nottinghamshire Mental Capacity Act Policy.
Decision not to hold a Safeguarding Adults Assessment
When a decision is made not to deal with the referral under the Policy and Procedures, the full reason is documented and feedback is given to the referrer. Whilst discussion should take place and the decision can be questioned, it is the overall responsibility of the Safeguarding Manager to make the formal decision.
Multi Agency Context
Placing in a ‘multi agency context’ means following the procedures in the Nottinghamshire Multi Agency Policy, Procedure and Guidance. This is regardless of whether there is one agency involved or several. |
Feedback
The Safeguarding Manager is responsible for providing feedback on the decision to:
- The person who first raises the concern
- The Alerter
- The ReferrerAND
- The Care Quality Commission (if the allegation is regarfing a regulated service).
Feedback to the Alerter and person who first raised concern
Feedback about the decision to carry out a Safeguarding Assessment or otherwise should be provided in the most suitable manner to the individual.
When providing feedback you should always:
- Tell the person that you have taken their concerns seriously;
- Provide as much information as you are able to in line with the Nottingham(shire) Information Sharing Protocol.
The level and type of support you provide will be dependent on individual circumstances. There will be a range of support needs and as Safeguarding Manager you should oversee that these are provided. For example, a staff member who has alerted their manager to a concern about a colleague may have different support needs to a member of public who raised concerns about a neighbour.
Alerting someone to concerns or allegations of abuse often requires a great deal of courage and creates significant angst. As the Safeguarding Manager it is essential that you identify the support needs and ensure that these are met.
Feedback to the Referrer
Feedback should be provided to the Referrer about the decision to carry out a Safeguarding Assessment.Feedback to the Regulatory Authority (CQC)
Feedback regarding your decision should be provided to the Care Quality Commission where the allegation relates to a regulated setting.
Safeguarding Assessment
When it is decided that a Safeguarding Assessment is required, a Safeguarding Assessment Strategy Discussion should take place to agree how the assessment will progress and who will carry out the various investigations which may be required. The guidance that follows is designed to assist the Safeguarding Manager with the different processes of the Safeguarding Assessment.