The safeguarding process: an overview
Section 1
As described in Vol 6 Handling Individual Cases, there are different ways in which to protect adults at risk of abuse and neglect and are considered within these procedures.
These are:
- Identification of concerns, duty to report these concerns and initiate enquiries.
- Prevention or early help to address any emerging concerns.
- Immediate protection to keep the individual at risk of harm safe.
- Care and support to address unmet needs.
- Care, support and protection to address needs including keeping the individual safe.
To determine the most effective way in which to safeguard an adult at risk practitioners should be aware of the different stages of the safeguarding process:
- identification of the concern;
- gathering information;
- assessment and analysis of early help, care and support or care and support protection needs;
- decision-making and planning the most appropriate intervention;
- actions and interventions
- evaluating effectiveness of the actions and interventions.
Pointers for Practice: The Safeguarding Process