The Board

All health and social care agencies that commission or provide services, whether in the public, voluntary or private sector,  have a duty of care for adults at risk of abuse.

All of these agencies have a responsibility to take appropriate action to promote the quality of care provided to people, minimise risk and take speedy action within these procedures where abuse is suspected. 

Stockport Council

The council have lead responsibility for:

• all enquiries of suspected abuse of vulnerable adults. They work closely with the police and other agencies when necessary and appropriate
• coordinating any actions to be taken within multi-agency procedures to enable enquiries to be made to protect people from abuse and neglect. In this capacity they arrange, service and chair adult safeguarding strategy meetings, case conferences and reviews 

Greater Manchester Integrated Care

When concern is raised that a commissioned health service is not safe, Greater Manchester Integrated Care will review the service in relation to breach of contract. They’ll hold the service to account if they’re not supportive of safeguarding investigations.

Health organisations

Healthcare staff from across the borough come into contact with adults at risk of abuse or neglect in a variety of settings. They’re in a position to observe patient welfare and report any suspicions or suspected abuse and have a responsibility to alert concerns to the council.

Care agencies and homes

All residential care homes, nursing homes and domiciliary care providers have a duty of care for the people they look after including having relevant policies and practices to prevent abuse occurring. If abuse does occur staff must record information and make a referral to the emergency services or the council. They must also inform the owner of the establishment and the Care Quality Commission.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The CQC  is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their aim is to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that’s in hospital, in care homes, in people’s own homes, or elsewhere. They regulate health and adult social care services provided by the NHS, the council, private companies or voluntary organisations, and protect the rights of people detained under the Mental Health Act.

The CQC make sure that essential quality standards are met where care is provided and work towards the improvement of services. They promote the rights and interests of people who use care services and have a wide range of enforcement powers to take action if services are unacceptably poor.

The police

When alleged abuse or neglect may be a criminal offence, consultation with the police at the earliest possible point is essential. It’s important for the police and the council to work together and identify what each need to do.

If a criminal act has been committed, the police investigation will take priority over all other ongoing investigations. This process may not always result in criminal proceedings.

Early involvement of the police will help make sure that forensic evidence is not lost or contaminated, and may prevent the alleged abused adult being interviewed unnecessarily on subsequent occasions.

Any police investigation will be planned alongside any health and social care issues.

These joint groups will support the delivery of the Children and Adult Safeguarding Partnership Business Plan and will be made up of children and adult representation across the partnership. They’ll report to the Children Safeguarding Partnership and the Adult Safeguarding Board.

The board has reviewed its governance arrangements in line with the Stockport Children’s Safeguarding Partnership (SSCP). The provisions have moved to a more flexible working arrangement, enabling a greater focus on front line practice and reducing bureaucracy.

The new arrangements are led by 3 partners:

1. the council
2. Police
3. Greater Manchester Integrated Care Stockport Locality

They’ll work together with relevant agencies for the purpose of safeguarding, and promoting the welfare of adults at risk in Stockport.

The board will also be underpinned by 3 standing groups:

• Executive
• Practice Improvement Partnership
• Quality Assurance Partnership

Along with 3 joint adults and children’s partnership working groups:

1. Complex Safeguarding
2. Early Help and Prevention
3. Training and Development

These joint groups will support the delivery of the Children and Adult Safeguarding Partnership Business Plan and will be made up of children and adult representation across the partnership. They’ll report to the Children Safeguarding Partnership and the Adult Safeguarding Board.