A message from the Lambeth Safeguarding Adults Board regarding Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19)

We all have a role to play in safeguarding adults at risk. This website is for Lambeth residents, health and social care staff and other professionals working in the borough. It provides information about Safeguarding Adults with the aim of helping you to understand what adult safeguarding means and what you can do to support adults who may be at risk of or experiencing abuse or neglect.

During this pandemic, we will endeavour to include information on this website which may be helpful to you directly or if you are trying to help someone else. It is vital that we all come together to support and protect those who are most vulnerable. People need to be encouraged to offer help to elderly and other vulnerable people in their neighbourhood using the precautions that government has outlined, to reduce transmission.

If you have concerns about yourself, your neighbour or someone in your community, please see our list of resources that can support you.

Lambeth Council also has a coronavirus helpline for people aged 70 or over and people of any age with the health conditions: 020 7926 2999 (The helpline is open from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday).

You can also sign up for email updates about coronavirus in Lambeth.

Safeguarding Adults

Safeguarding adults is about protecting someone’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and about preventing the abuse of adults who might be unable to protect themselves. It is something that everyone needs to know about. If you are concerned about a person who is over the age of 18 years of age, they have care and support needs, and you feel they are being abused or at risk of abuse from another person, you should seek help for them.

If you're not sure what to do, or need some advice, there are people who can help. You can talk to your GP or nurse, a social worker, a police officer or your key worker. They will help you to report your concerns.

If you need to raise an adult safeguarding concern about an adult who is experiencing abuse or neglect and who cannot protect themselves, report it using the online form - this is the quickest and most secure way to report concerns. The person telling us about the possible abuse or neglect can remain anonymous.

REPORT A CONCERN

Coronavirus Bill

The Coronavirus Bill was introduced in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. It provides for changes to legislation to enable public services to provide an effective response to the emergency. These changes will only come into force if pressures of demand and workforce illness during the pandemic mean that NHS and social care services are unable to carry out their duties. Changes would be temporary, lasting only for the duration of the emergency. The bill does not provide for any modifications to the adult safeguarding or deprivation of liberty (DoLS) framework and the government has provided emergency guidance to advise specifically on this.

Lambeth DoLS Service has produced a letter to give Providers advice and reassurance around DoLS arrangements.

WHAT IS ABUSE?

Responding to Coronavirus

◉ Lambeth Council's website is regularly updated with key information on coronavirus (Covid-19) including what you can do to protect yourself, support your community and the impact of the disease on local services.

◉ Age UK Lambeth's #Together campaign encourages us to come together to support out community.

◉ Government guidance on social distancing and protecting older people and vulnerable adults.

◉ The Hourglass confidential helpline provides information and support to anyone concerned about harm, abuse or exploitation of an older person. This might include physical, financial, psychological, sexual or neglect (0808 808 8141)

◉ The Gaia Centre supports Lambeth residents who are survivors of gender based violence, including domestic and sexual violence, are open and accepting referrals: 020 7733 8724 or email lambethvawg@refuge.org.uk

◉ Wash your hands of coronavirus scams - protect and prevent people from becoming victim.

◉ See our information page for all of the above, plus important guidance for carers and information about foodbanks and drop-offs..

MORE SUPPORT

Contact with friends and family in care settings

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 currently prohibit us all from leaving the place where we live to visit friends and relatives. This has been brought into force due to the current Coronavirus pandemic and is an essential order given to reduce the spread of this virus.

In Lambeth, we have a number of Care Providers, who have had to take swift action to protect their residents and this has meant restrictions on contact with the outside world, including visits by family members and friends, in line with Regulation 6 of the above regulations.

Lambeth has advised all our Providers, that they must do whatever they can to facilitate other types of contact with loved ones such as telephone, Skype, Whatsapp video calling, Zoom or Facetime.

We recognise that there will be some cases, where a resident may be very unwell or considered terminal and in these circumstances, care home providers will consider what arrangements can be made to safely enable contact, which does not place other vulnerable residents at risk. This is likely to include that visitors will be expected to wear personal protective equipment (provided to them) for these visits and allowed access only at agreed times.

We appreciate that this can be a very distressing situation for families wanting to be near loved ones and we will endeavour to do all we can to facilitate this whilst trying to ensure everyone is kept safe.

Keeping in Touch

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