On the 1st July, the Community Reference Group (CRG) a hosted an event for voluntary and community sector workers which explored the vital role that these groups and individuals play when responding to the complex issue of self-neglect in a person-centred way.

Self-neglect includes situations where a person is declining support with their care needs, hygiene, health or their environment, and this is having a significant impact on their overall wellbeing. Possible indicators of self-neglect include:

• Very poor personal hygiene
• Unkempt appearance
• Lack of essential food, clothing or shelter
• Malnutrition and/or dehydration
• Living in squalid or unsanitary conditions
• Neglecting household maintenance
• Hoarding
• Collecting a large number of animals in inappropriate conditions
• Non-compliance with health or care services
• Inability or unwillingness to take medication or treat illness or injury

Self-neglect is a key priority for the Lambeth Safeguarding Adults Board. It is a key theme in many Safeguarding Adults Reviews across the country, and recent SARs in Lambeth have also highlighted important learning in this area.

As well as providing space to learn about self-neglect, the event also encouraged attendees to think about what more they could do within their organisation to help protect adults at risk from abuse and neglect. To help guide participants, the CRG developed a pledge document that lists simple ways to raise awareness of adult safeguarding and play a preventative role – this handy tool is available to download from our resource page.

The June 2019 edition of the Lambeth Safeguarding Adults Board newsletter has been published. The latest updates include details on how to access resources to help promote adult safeguarding and information on the Safeguarding Hub for Central South Borough Command unit.

The newsletter also includes a focus on modern slavery.

More than 7,100 suspected victims of modern slavery were identified across the UK in 2018, with London the location for the highest number of suspected victims (1,477). The increase in calls received by the Modern Slavery Helpline is a reflection of increased public awareness of modern slavery. Nonetheless, more still needs to be done to give people the confidence to report their concerns. Analysis of entries to the Safe Car Wash app found that between June and December 2018, 41% of users were advised to call the Modern Slavery Helpline after answering a series of questions. Only 18% of people went on to make the call.

The Lambeth Safeguarding Adults Board on a practical level, recognises there is a need for practitioners and the Board to build confidence and ensure familiarity with the safeguarding implications of modern slavery, which is why it is part of the Board’s strategic objectives this year.

To read the full update, please see below.

If you'd like to be first to hear these updates, email LSABAdmin@Lambeth.gov.uk to find out how you can be added to our mailing list!

The revised Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding policy and procedures are now live and available to download on ADASS’ website. This document aims to ensure that there is a consistent approach to safeguarding adults across London, and includes the updated information sharing agreement.

This co-operation and information sharing for safeguarding purposes is supported by all data protection legislation where there is a lawful basis, such as the Care Act: It is important that all professionals working in Lambeth understand the duty to share information when it concerns an adults at risk, as this is an essential part of effective inter-agency working to protect Lambeth citizens.

The Community Reference Group have designed a new poster in response to survey findings that showed neglect and acts of omission were less likely to be seen as a form of abuse by those with care and support needs, their family and friends, and unpaid carers.

Neglect, or acts of omission, includes ignoring medical or physical care needs, and the withholding of necessities such as medication and adequate nutrition.

The new poster sets out to highlight some of the signs that someone may be experiencing neglect, which might include:

• Poor environmental conditions
• Inadequate heating and lighting
• Poor physical condition of the vulnerable adult
• Persons clothing is ill fitting, unclean and in poor condition
• Malnutrition
• Failure to give prescribed medication properly
• Failure to provide appropriate privacy and dignity
• Inconsistent or reluctant contact with health and social care agencies
• Isolation - denying access to callers or visitors

The Community Reference Group hope that this new poster can be made visible in as many public spaces as possible to raise awareness and help protect adults at risk.

The poster can be found alongside other leaflets and posters on our website.  

If you are concerned that someone you know may be experiencing abuse or neglect, please let Lambeth Adult Social Care know by completing our secure online form.