Making Safeguarding Personal Report 2024 - 2025
Download (PDF 2.76 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Kingston upon Thames was commissioned by the local authority to undertake a survey of people who had been through the safeguarding process. 49 people took part.
Key findings
59% had received advocacy support (either professional or a personal advocate), but 23% reported that they were not offered an advocate, and some shared that they lacked timely information about their rights.
71% felt listened to by the person from Kingston Adult Social Care, yet 29% reported feeling unheard and explained that they felt ignored or excluded from decisions about their needs.
Nearly half (48%) did not feel involved in creating their safety plan with their social worker, and 32% said their plan did not make sense.
44% did not discuss potential ongoing risks, which suggests a gap in proactive safeguarding conversations.
50% reported improvements in their situation, while 35% saw no change after being through the safeguarding process in Kingston. One person commented that this was due to poor communication or unresolved issues.
Many expressed their confusion about care funding rules and thresholds. This isn’t directly a safeguarding issue, but highlights where some people felt frustration.
Post-safeguarding support significantly shaped respondents’ overall experiences, with gaps in continuity of care and support noted.
Some found their safeguarding meeting venues inappropriate or distressing, underscoring the need for choice and sensitivity.