Organisations unite in their pledge to prevent adult abuse in Shropshire

Organisations across both Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin came together this week (Thursday 14 June 2018) to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

L to R: Sam Anderson, Marian Kelly, Karen Littleford, Andrew Mason, Emma Harding, Prof Michael Preston-Shoot, Ivan Powell, Sarah Hollinshead-Bland and Kerry Woodhouse

The Safeguarding Adults – Preventing Abuse in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Event, held at Oakengates Theatre Telford, was jointly led by Keeping Adults Safe in Shropshire Board (KASiSB) and Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Adults Board (TWSAB) with support from Shropshire Partners in Care to promote the importance of preventing abuse of all adults with care and support needs.

Professor Michael Preston-Shoot headlined the event, presenting best evidence for working with adults who self-neglect and Mental Capacity Act compliance learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs).

The Safeguarding Adults – Preventing Abuse in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Event

Over 160 delegates attended the conference which also included several workshops and information stands with a focus on preventing abuse and neglect.  The event also gave way to the launch of the Talking about Adult Safeguarding: My Enquiry and Safety Plan cards which will be used with adults with care and support needs to support them to have safeguarding conversations outlining their thoughts, views and wishes.

The Safeguarding Adults – Preventing Abuse in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, also explored best practice and evidence when working with adults who self-neglect as well as what learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) tells us about best practice for those who lack capacity. Delegates also had the opportunity to find out more about how organisations work with adults who have difficulties with hoarding

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult services, health and social housing said;

“Our joint safeguarding event was a brilliant success and a great opportunity for all partners to come together to recognise, learn and raise awareness on how we all as a community can help prevent adult abuse.

“We hope our conference also sends a clear and robust message that we do not tolerate any form of adult abuse. We must all act to prevent or stop abuse to adults (particularly those who need extra help and support). I would ask if anyone is concerned about someone’s welfare that they report it immediately.”

The Safeguarding Adults – Preventing Abuse in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Event

Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Children and Adults Early Help and Support, added;

“This was an excellent event which sent a clear message that abuse of older people will not be tolerated.”

The Keeping Adults Safe in Shropshire Board will use the learning and reflection from the event and work to implement and embed:

• best practice evidence for working with adults who self-neglect
• learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) and best practice evidence for those who lack capacity.

The event presentations may be accessed here  http://www.keepingadultssafeinshropshire.org.uk/learning-resources/self-neglect-and-mental-capacity-act-safeguarding-board-event-june-2018/

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated each year in June to highlight the often silent suffering of older people. People across the world will voice their opposition to the abuse and neglect of older people.

Many of the attendees at the event wore purple, the theme colour to mark World Elder Abuse Day. The event also raised over £100 in donations from cake sales, for Action on Elder Abuse.

For more information about safeguarding in Shropshire, visit the Keeping Adults Safe in Shropshire Board website (http://www.keepingadultssafeinshropshire.org.uk/). The newly launched website provides information on:

• the work of the Board;
• how to recognise abuse and neglect in adults and how to report concerns to the relevant authorities; and
• further learning information and materials to help adults with care and support needs, their families and professionals working with them.

For more information about adult safeguarding in Telford and Wrekin please visit the Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Adults Board website

If you have a concern or need want to talk to someone about an adult who is or might be being abused, call Shropshire Council First Point of Contact: 0345 678 9044 in Telford and Wrekin please call Family Connect: 01952 385385 or West Mercia Police: 101 (only use 999 when you are sure someone is in danger now).

Further information

Both safeguarding boards would like to thank the following organisations who have sponsored cake to raise money for Action on Elder Abuse

• Creativity – Design and Illustration
• Lancelot Collectables
• Monty’s Brewery
• Creative Yoga Motion
• Holldary Rural Services
• Tesco
• Sainsburys
• Shropshire Partners in Care