Introduction
The introduction of the Care Act 2014 introduced a significant cultural and attitude change to the safeguarding of adults at risk. Not only did the Care Act 2014 section 42 introduce the statutory function for safeguarding enquiries but it also included a change in focus to outcome-based social work.
‘The core purpose of adult care and support is to help people to achieve the outcomes that matter to them in their life.’ Care Act 2014
Meeting needs rather than providing services is integral to the Care Act 2014 as is the well-being principle. This means that when working with adults at risk there must be a focus on empowering adults to live their lives in the way that they choose. Supporting them to manage risks and prevent abuse from occurring to them and others.
Huntersjoy has developed this program to complement the Bournemouth Competency framework. In view of the current demand on frontline services, the light bite approach enables practitioners to continue to develop skills with minimal operational disruption. In addition, model 1 which includes the ‘ beyond auditing ’ module, offers the practitioner an opportunity to learn and for the organisation, the assurance that the learning has been translated into practice.
Models
Model 1:
• Participants will attend 5 workshops over a 5 – week period.
• At the end of the end of week 5, they will participate in session 6, which involves a ‘ beyond auditing ’ session. The focus of this session is a practitioner participating in an audit of their own case work with the support of the program facilitator. Ideally, their line manager will be present.
• The program facilitator will submit a report with a summary of the audit findings, highlighting key themes including strengths and further areas for development.
Model 2 :
• Modules are offered as stand-alone modules for experienced practitioners to reflect and continue to develop their practice in line with case law, research and national guidance.
Methodology
The program differs from traditional classroom training with the focus on individual practitioner development. The workshops will support each practitioner to reflect on their own practice including strengths and areas for development. The aim is that each practitioner takes responsibility for achieving best practice in their safeguarding casework.
In order to achieve an effective outcome from the program :
• Each module is delivered in a 2 – 3 hour interactive workshop.
• Maximum 10 participants per workshop
The learning will be developed based on current case law, national safeguarding adults review and research. The facilitator will have an ongoing dialogue with the local safeguarding lead to incorporate key local developments and messages.
Participants will be encouraged to share anonymised active cases.
Workshop Modules
Module topics will be developed bespoke to each customer. Some examples of module topics may include:
• Strength-based practice when responding to self – neglect and hoarding
• Recording of safeguarding practice with a strength-based focus
• Strength-based safeguarding risk assessments
• How to apply strength-based practice when supporting survivors of domestic abuse
• Do’s and don’ts of information sharing in safeguarding adult’s enquiries
• Person-centred safeguarding planning
• Interface between legal duties and person-centred safeguarding practice
• Applying the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in safeguarding enquiries
Quality Assurance Module
In order to ensure that learning from workshops is being translated into practice, the program offers a quality assurance module. This will involve ‘beyond auditing’ a term introduced by Reading Local Authority. Beyond auditing in this program will involve the course facilitator auditing an active safeguarding case with a participant and their manager. The ‘ beyond auditing ’ focus is to encourage and empower practitioners to reflect on their current practice and to ensure that the learning from the workshops has been successfully applied in practice.
The facilitator will produce a report on conclusion of the program summarising key themes including strengths and areas for further developments.
Cost: Provided on request
