The below captures some of the latest articles, research and news that is relevant to Adult Safeguarding.
Waltham Forest Council have made a short video with key messages for volunteers to help raise awareness of safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults. Volunteers have an important role to play in safeguarding.
If you see something, say something.
For more resources and local Lambeth services, visit our information page.
Lambeth Council has given funding to domestic violence charity Refuge to help workers connect with victims during the Covid-19 outbreak, with money going towards laptops for workers to increase their ability to connect and provide help to victims as the country isolates.
Councillor Ed Davie, Lambeth’s cabinet member for health and adult social care, said the council wanted to support organisations which work to protect people.
The Gaia Centre which supports Lambeth residents who are survivors of gender based violence, including domestic and sexual violence, are open and accepting referrals. They are providing 1:1 support via telephone and email during a time where survivors may feel additionally isolated and at risk due to coronavirus.
To make a referral or for a survivor to self-refer call: 020 7733 8724 or email lambethvawg@refuge.org.uk
For more information please see the Gaia Centre website.
Refuge's National Helpline remains open during the Coronavirus lockdown. You can call them on 08082000247
They have also created some safety tips for survivors during the lockdown on their website.
In an emergency call police on 999.
SafeLives have developed specific resources for domestic abuse and COVID-19.This includes a guide for staying safe.
Surviving Economic Abuse have also produced guidance on economic abuse while self-isolating, as well as practical issues including benefits and sick pay. The guidance is updated regularly as the situation changes.
Temporary changes to ID checking guidelines are being made as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Update from Disclosure and Barring Service:
"Due to current measures that have been put in place as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, we’re aware that organisations are having difficulty following the DBS ID checking guidance.
Currently, when validating ID documents, it is best practice to carry the examination out face-to-face with a live video link as an alternative method. Under the current guidance, the ID checker must be in physical possession of the original documents so they can be checked for indicators of fraud.
As the public is being advised to work from home where possible, this is causing difficulties in receiving the physical documents and is delaying applications, and in some cases, preventing applications from being submitted.
To ensure that the necessary DBS checks can still be carried out, the DBS ID checking guidance will be changed for a temporary period.
The change will enable:
- ID documents to be viewed over video link
- scanned images to be used in advance of the DBS check being submitted
Please note, the change should only be implemented for urgent cases where it is not possible to follow the normal identity checking guidelines. The applicant must present the original versions of these documents when they first attend their employment or volunteering role.
The change will come into effect from 24 March 2020.
Please ensure that you follow the advice on GOV.UK around checking identity documents for indicators of fraud, which can be found here.
For more information about the changes, please contact customerservices@dbs.gov.uk"
The Gaia Centre which supports Lambeth residents who are survivors of gender based violence, including domestic and sexual violence, are open and accepting referrals. They are providing 1:1 support via telephone and email during a time where survivors may feel additionally isolated and at risk due to coronavirus.
To make a referral or for a survivor to self-refer call: 020 7733 8724 or email lambethvawg@refuge.org.uk
For more information please see the Refuge website
In an emergency call police on 999.