09.05.14
CQC aims to clarify roles in safeguarding vulnerable adults
Health and care workers and organisations have been given new guidelines on the ways they must work together to prevent abuse and safeguard adult social care.
The new CQC document – ‘Safeguarding Adults – Roles and Responsibilities in Health and Care Service’ – highlights that putting the person at the centre of adult social care is extremely important.
It also stated that safeguarding is ‘everybody’s business’. Therefore providers are required to meet essential/fundamental standards of care and people using services are safeguarded additionally through monitoring by providers and commissioners, regulation and inspection.
The paper also noted that organisations must take action against those responsible for abuse or neglect taking place in adult social care, and lessons should be learnt to prevent similar abuse or neglect happening to other people – potentially through learning and development programmes for staff.
Developed in partnership with NHS England, the Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the CQC hopes the document helps to clarify the roles of organisations delivering this type of care.
Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of Adult Social Care at the CQC, said: “Safeguarding adults is everyone’s responsibility. It should not be difficult and confusing for the public and professionals. I am pleased that working with our partners we have been able to set out how we should work together.”
Cllr Katie Hall, chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board and Dr Adi Cooper, ADASS’s Safeguarding Joint Lead, said: “These safeguarding roles and responsibilities highlight the importance of everyone working together including councils, CQC, health and the police to keep people safe. It outlines the practical opportunities there are for us to join-up in the vital everyday work we do.
“Poor care, neglect and abuse are all part of the same problem and addressing this locally requires action from anyone involved in looking after those who need care.”
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