Practical approaches to safeguarding and personalisation (pdf ...

Practical approaches to safeguarding and personalisation
A recent report and action plan 8 (published on the Local Government Improvement and
Development website) outlines key safeguarding principles and issues for consideration in
development of Universal Information, Advice and Advocacy Services. It emphasizes that
‘Safeguarding issues need to be considered at every stage of the interpersonal support process
and should form a ‘golden thread’ running through all communications and services.’ The
report highlights good practice in other parts of the country such as public awareness raising
campaigns, help lines and websites that encourage the reporting of abuse. The report also
highlights examples of the provision of good information that ‘should help people to make
wise choices, enable them to take control and help prevent people from losing their abilities,
skills and independence.’
3. Assessment
During the assessment process, there is a duty on the council to identify any risks and act
appropriately where the situation demands it. The self-directed assessment should allow the
individual to reflect on risks and how well they are able to stay safe from harm. The model of
using self-directed assessment treats people as “experts in their own lives”, and provides a
more person-centred, outcome-focused mechanism for determining what the issues are that
face an individual. It is an opportunity to discuss and explore any existing or potential risks
and open a dialogue about how these can be positively managed.
The assessment process should include an assessment of mental capacity where appropriate.
The council must identify if there is any doubt as to whether the person has capacity to make
relevant decisions and, if so, must follow the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and
enable appropriate representation. Issues of capacity should be fully explored and decisions
made about the level of assistance required. This could include supported decision-making,
advocacy, specialist communication, or appointing a suitable person to make decisions on
behalf of the individual using the best interests guidance contained within the Mental
Capacity Act.
4. Support planning
The focus here is on enabling the person to develop their own plan, with support if necessary,
determining what outcomes they wish to achieve when meeting their social care and support
needs. In enabling the person to develop their plan, risks and benefits are identified and
discussed and consideration given to what level of risk a person wants to take in their lives.
The individual’s awareness of the associated risks is raised and consideration given to any
approaches that might help eliminate, reduce or manage those risks whilst still achieving the
outcomes that the person wants to achieve in their lives.
8 Thacker, Helen 2010 Key safeguarding principles and issues for consideration in development of Universal
Information, Advice and Advocacy Services. Action plan: Safeguarding and Independence, Advice and
Advocacy. Unpublished report for FreshVoice, available at
http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/2962596/doclib/documentdisplay.dobacklink=ref&id=4642678&themeId=7663638
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