Adult safeguarding in the spotlight

Published Wednesday, 13th November 2019

A major campaign to raise awareness of adult safeguarding issues will get underway next week.

National Safeguarding Adults Weeks 2019 will run from November 18th-24th and focus on a number of key themes, including modern slavery, self-neglect, domestic abuse, transforming care and safeguarding adults in sport and activity.

The campaign, run by national charity The Ann Craft Trust, is being supported by the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board, the statutory body responsible for setting the strategic direction of safeguarding in the Boroughs of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.

The board is led by Independent Chair Ann Baxter who said: “Adult safeguarding is rightly given a high priority right across the Tees Valley and involves a range of organisations working closely together.

“Everyone has a role to play in safeguarding and by supporting National Safeguarding Adults Week we aim to give people the information they need to understand when a vulnerable adult is at risk and requires help.

“Whilst we will be focussing attention on a number of specific themes throughout the week, safeguarding in its most basic form can sometimes simply be a case of looking out for relatives, friends and neighbours.

“It is also very important to remember that safeguarding relates to all adults of any age, not just older people.”

Neil Harrrison, Head of Service for Safeguarding and Specialist Services in Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Department, added: “Safeguarding is all about protecting any adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

“The Council works closely with the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board, and during National Safeguarding Adults Week we will be supporting their efforts to engage with the public by jointly issuing a range of proactive publicity.”

More information about adult safeguarding and the work of the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board is available at https://www.tsab.org.uk

To find out more about National Safeguarding Adults Week 2019 visit https://www.anncrafttrust.org/events/national-safeguarding-adults-week

Hartlepool Borough Council’s dedicated Hartlepool Now website is also provides a comprehensive guide to services for adults at www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk