It is important to monitor and review the plan at each strategy meeting/discussion to consider both the actions and their desired outcomes.
The following questions should assist this process:
What have we done that is making a difference?
This question is designed to not only establish whether the actions have been completed but how they are making a difference. As identified in reviews following deaths of adults at risk practitioners and indeed the adult at risk and carers have gone through the motions, such as keeping appointments, but they are only superficially complying with plans rather than engage meaningfully.
What evidence do we have that the actions are safeguarding the adult at risk?
To assess whether the actions taken are making a difference, practitioners need to gain evidence. This can be achieved by establishing from both the adult at risk and from practitioners whether the adult is safer.
What have we not got around to or resisted doing and why?
This question is designed to bring to the fore actions indicated in the plan that have not been undertaken. There may be several reasons why this is the case; for example, waiting lists for services. It is important however to consider the implications and if necessary, agree alternative or contingency plans.
It may be however that actions have not been completed because of resistance by the adult at risk. If this is the case every effort should be made to understand why and if whether the same outcomes can be achieved through different actions.
How do we address this?
Adults at risk are far more likely to engage in plans if they feel that practitioners are taking seriously the challenges they are encountering engaging in the plan and are assisting them address the challenges.
For further information see:
Pachu D and Jackson C (2018) Analysis of Emerging Themes from Child Practice, Adult Practice and Domestic Homicide Reviews in Wales (1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018) Public Health Wales 2018
Robinson, A, Rees, A and Dehaghani R (2018) Findings from a thematic analysis into adult deaths in Wales: Domestic Homicide Reviews, Adult Practice Reviews and Mental Health Homicide Reviews Cardiff University (Accessed 21/ 7/ 2019)