Making safeguarding personal report 2023-24

This Healthwatch Kingston report provides anonymised feedback shared by local people who have been through the Kingston adult safeguarding service. This report compares this year’s data (April 2023 – March 2024) with last year’s report (April 2022 – March 2023), and highlights any changes in people’s experiences.  They spoke to 31 people

Most respondents that had direct experience of the safeguarding process in Kingston, said they were happier and felt safer after support from Kingston Adult Social Care. During the 2023-24 engagement with service users, Healthwatch heard that one of the key issues was the need for improved direct communication with the service user and/or supporting family/friend throughout their safeguarding journey. This should include being involved at the care planning stages, updated throughout the process, and discussed at the end of the process. 

In some cases, service users shared that they felt wider support services were not always in step with RBK Adult Social Care provision, or not always following best safeguarding practice. Some respondents asked for further guidance and more transparent safeguarding processes made accessible to them. 

The findings suggest that conversations about what was happening before the safeguarding concern was raised, and making a plan together created a better understanding and better outcomes for the individuals involved and their family/friends. And, where relevant, discussions about future risk may prevent further safeguarding concerns. 

There are positive examples of safeguarding practice being tailored to the needs of the service user, and this was appreciated. The evidence from last year’s Making Safeguarding Personal 2022-23 report showed some similarities in the data collected, however the qualitative responses received this year were richer, meaning Healthwatch were able to share more firsthand experiences of services users’ safeguarding journeys.