Publication of the HSAB Annual Report 2023-24

We are pleased to advise that the Hampshire Safeguarding Adult Board (HSAB) Annual Report 2023/24 has now been published and can be viewed via the HSAB website here:

HSAB Annual Report 2023-2024

The Annual Report is a key part of the HSAB’s strategy to promote its profile with the public and other local multi-agency partnerships.  Therefore, please share the link to the Annual Report widely within your organisation, including any internal safeguarding leads, governance boards and relevant management teams to ensure they are sighted on the report.

New and refreshed Polices and Guidance

Please see below a list with links to Policies and Guidance which has been created or refreshed and subsequently approved by the HSAB:

It is very important that colleagues arrange to review this new or refreshed information against their own organisational internal guidance to ensure that this reflects and incorporates any of the new changes.

Cuckooing Thematic SAR (Katie, James and Luke) Publication (July 2024)

The Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) has today published an independent thematic Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) into the circumstances surrounding three individuals who have sadly died in separate instances, where each experienced cuckooing and exploitation.

Firstly, the HSAB would like to express its sincere condolences to each of the individual’s families. The HSAB would also like to acknowledge the input from advocates who have worked with practitioners and family, where possible, to ensure the views and experiences of the individuals have been central to the review.

The purpose of this SAR was to:

  • Seek to understand what happened for each of the three individuals and why.
  • Gain any learning from what is understood already through national cuckooing research and relevant SAR findings.
  • Understand how the local safeguarding system is working together to identify cuckooing and whether there are strategies in place to effectively support individuals.

This review has identified some good local practice in Hampshire, both in single agencies and existing partnership mechanisms to prevent or minimise risk to adults. However, learning has been identified regarding a need for a coordinated and formalised multi-agency adult exploitation strategy, including cuckooing.

This needs to consider how well understood cuckooing is across the partnership, beyond the standard definition, and how different relationships between victim and perpetrator are effectively identified, assessed, and safeguarded in a way that is tailored to that relationship.

Relevant agencies will now develop actions to address the learning and continue to strive for positive change for the adults we support. Progress will be reviewed and monitored by the Board.

PDF icon Cuckooing SAR (Katie, James and Luke) July 2024

 Cuckooing SAR Sway Briefing

4LSAB and 4LSCP Non recent sexual abuse guidance – now published

Practitioners may find themselves in situations where an Adult discloses non-recent child sexual abuse. It is recognised that it may be difficult for practitioners to respond to disclosures of this kind, particularly when it may involve deciding between their professional duty to the Adult and the prevention of potential harm to a Child.

This 4LSAB and 4LSCP guidance provides an overview of how best to support an adult, over the age of 18, who discloses non-recent abuse. Any concerns about the wellbeing of a child under the age of 18 should be dealt with using current child safeguarding policies and procedures. Adult Safeguarding policy and guidance should also be used where there are concerns identified about risks of abuse to the referrer or to other Adults.

PDF icon 4LSAB 4LSCP Practice Guidance – Adults who Disclose Non-recent Sexual Abuse (June 2024)

LGA – Analysis of Safeguarding Adult Reviews: April 2019 – March 2023

The Local Government Association (LGA) has recently published analysis of Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) undertaken between April 2019 and March 2023.  This work was commissioned by the LGA and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) as Partners in Care and Health (PCH), supporting councils to improve the way they deliver adult social care and public health service.

A breakdown of the analysis, including conclusions and improvement priorities can be viewed on the LGA website here:

Analysis of Safeguarding Adult Reviews: April 2019 – March 2023 | Local Government Association

Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board Learning and Development Programme 2024/25 now published

The HSAB provides a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Training Programme, which raises awareness of types of abuse and neglect as well as highlighting different support services that can help.  Training sessions generally cost anything from 100 pounds upwards per delegate and we are pleased that with the support from our partners we have been able to offer attendance to these sessions for free.

All sessions are being held virtually as lunch and learn sessions, with most taking place 12:00 to 1:00pm.  Some sessions are from 12:00 to 1:30pm.  Details of courses available, timings and how to book a place, can be found on the Browse and Book Courses page of the HSAB website. All HSAB training and awareness sessions are available to all partner agencies within Hampshire.

Places must be booked in advance via Eventbrite and only one place can be booked per person using a workplace email address.  All cancellations, changes to bookings must be sent in writing to the hsab@hants.gov.uk.

Please ensure that if you/your staff are unable to attend an event they have booked on, that they send an apology ahead to ensure we have an accurate picture of who is attending and allow any spaces to be filled. There is a maximum of 100 places per session and these were regularly filled last year, unfortunately if people don’t attend this prevents someone else the opportunity to attend, engage and learn.

George SAR publication 22nd April

The Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) has today published a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) into the circumstances surrounding the death of George. Firstly, the HSAB would like to express its sincere condolences to George’s family for their loss. The HSAB would like to thank George’s family who shared both their own and George’s views and wishes. The HSAB would also like to acknowledge the input from practitioners who were actively involved in the review process.

Sadly, George died in hospital in 2022 following injuries sustained in a fire in his home. The Safeguarding Adults Review into George’s death was undertaken to gain learning about the use of emollient products, along with other care and support needs, which can increase the risk of a fire. The learning identified will support positive change within the safeguarding system.

The review includes information about improvement activity already underway in Hampshire and the agencies involved will now seek to address any further areas of improvement identified. Progress will be reviewed and monitored by the Board.

The full report and learning briefing are available here:

George (April 2024) | Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board (hampshiresab.org.uk)

Serious Violence toolkit launch

Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Violence Reduction Partnership have launched the new Serious Violence Toolkit to support professionals working with individuals and their families impacted by serious violence in the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton areas. This toolkit has been produced to support a co-ordinated approach to tackling and preventing serious violence and understanding its root causes. The serious violence duty means that all partners, statutory and non-statutory have a part to play to reduce violence. This toolkit will explain what that means to you and your organisation.  The toolkit can be viewed on the Hampshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership website here:

Serious Violence Toolkit – Hampshire SCP

Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service Emollients Campaign

The Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service have recently launched an emollients fire safety awareness campaign in partnership with the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Community Pharmacy South Central.

The joint awareness campaign has been developed following a series of national and local tragedies, many of which were sadly fatal. The hope is that by educating members of the public about the increased fire risks and the actions they can take to reduce these, further tragedies of this kind can be prevented in the future.

Emollients are creams, sprays, and lotions that may contain paraffin or other products like butters and oils. Both paraffin and non-paraffin emollients can act as an accelerant when absorbed into clothing and exposed to naked flames or other heat sources.

Printed campaign resources including posters and postcards have been sent to pharmacies and GP surgeries throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for them to share with members of the public to help raise awareness of the potential fire risks within the local community. Digital versions of the resources have also been created to help spread awareness of the fire risks associated with emollients.

HIOW Fire and Rescue will also be sharing posts on their social media accounts to help raise awareness, so please help by liking and sharing these where possible.

Fire Service and health partners launch emollients fire safety campaign – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service (hantsfire.gov.uk)

Thank you in advance for your valued support with this safety campaign.

PDF icon Emollients Campaign – Postcard