Safeguarding Voices - Making Safeguarding Personal in Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire
Download (PDF 1.04 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Together (Healthwatch Blackpool, Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen and Healthwatch Lancashire) delivered a robust engagement project to independently review the effectiveness of the section 42 Safeguarding case management for Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Boards. A section 42 Safeguarding enquiry is part of the Care Act which gives Local Authorities the primary duty to respond to a concern of abuse or neglect of an individual. They undertook an online survey to which 258 people responded.
Key findings for Blackburn with Darwen:
Overall, feedback has highlighted good working practices, however, there are some areas for improvement. The majority of individuals and carers felt involved in the enquiry and felt that they were listened to. Most respondents felt that it was easy to get in contact with the safeguarding team and over half were asked what support they needed. However, negative experiences included not being informed they were part of a safeguarding enquiry, carers not being asked what support they needed and not feeling involved in the enquiry.
Key findings for Blackpool:
Overall, individual and carer experiences of the safeguarding process were extremely varied, with some having a positive interaction with the process and others struggling. Particular areas to celebrate included staff providing timely information that was easy to understand. Staff listened to the needs of those involved in the safeguarding enquiry and implemented proactive action plans going forward. Despite this, there are inconsistencies with people’s experience, as some recalled receiving little communication, struggling to understand what was happening with the safeguarding process and not having their voices heard.
Key findings for Lancashire:
Overall, experiences were varied between and within individuals and carers. Good working practice is evident but not consistent. Areas of good working practice to celebrate includes supportive and empathetic social workers, information being accessible to individuals/carers in most cases and some being provided with a direct point of contact should they have any enquiries or updates to share. However, this good working practice was not always evident. Some individuals and carers shared that they were not aware they were involved in a safeguarding enquiry, they were not asked what support they needed and they did not feel involved in the process.
The report includes individualised recommendations for each Safeguarding Board.