Work to protect vulnerable adults reviewed

Work to protect vulnerable adults in Norfolk is being considered by the county council's cabinet.

Cabinet will consider the work of the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) over the last year (2021/22), as well as the type of safeguarding concerns it has dealt with. Neglect is the most common type of abuse referred to the Board, with over half of concerns relating to neglect.

Cllr Bill Borrett, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services, said:

"The work of the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board protects some of the most vulnerable in our society and is vital to making Norfolk the safe and welcoming place we all want it to be. The annual report showcases the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, and the structures the NSAB has in place to protect people in our county. It's an ideal time to reflect on what they do and thank the Board and its staff for working so hard on behalf of Norfolk."

The NSAB's membership is drawn from across the public, charitable and voluntary sectors, encouraging collaboration and partnership working to ensure vulnerable adults are kept safe and treated with respect.

Working with three statutory partners - Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services, Norfolk Constabulary and the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System (previously Clinical Commissioning Group) - and a number of other partners, the NSAB encourages organisations across Norfolk to work together effectively to enable the people of Norfolk to live free from abuse and neglect, and to promote widely the message that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Heather Roach, the Independent Chair of the NSAB, said:

"A significant part of a safeguarding board's role relates to ensuring that learning and improvements to professional practice are embedded within our partner agencies and that services users receive the very best care and support. This report shows how we have worked towards that goal, and how our various partners have supported each other over the past year. It's not a simple process, and we can't be complacent, but we've laid good foundations in the last year that we can build on into 2023."

Cabinet will consider the report when it meets at 10am on Monday, 7 November. You can watch the meeting, live or afterwards and read the reports online (opens new window).