Raising awareness of adult safeguarding

National Safeguarding Adults Weeks 2020 runs until  November 22nd and is focussing on the following key themes - safeguarding and wellbeing, adult grooming, understanding legislation, creating safer places, organisational abuse; sport & activity and safeguarding in your community

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 Darren Best who said: “I really wish that we had no need for National Safeguarding Awareness Week. However, the simple and sad fact is we do. Despite the bravery of lots of people who have suffered abuse and come forward and the great efforts of the people who work tirelessly to support and protect them; there are still many people in Hartlepool who need safeguarding support.

“I recognise the very personal nature of abuse and that telling someone who works for an organisation who can actually help about it can be really hard. It is, therefore, really important that anyone who is suffering from abuse, or knows somebody else who is suffering, feels confident to report it knowing they will be listened to and taken seriously.

“My message therefore is one of reassurance. In Hartlepool and in the wider Teesside area, we have some fantastic people who want to help and if they are told they can do something positive to improve an abusive situation.”

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 also provides a comprehensive guide to services for adults at www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk