No Secrets

Safeguarding - linking with other agendas
Promoting safety - SAFER (Scams & Fraud
expansion of the Safe Education for Residents)
Places Scheme
project
The board has supported
the ‘Safe Places Scheme’
for a number of years
as part of its prevention
agenda. It is a
partnership arrangement
across various parts of the
council, the learning disability
partnership board and Metro Travel.
It is delivered by Mencap in Kirklees.
“Safe Places” are designated venues in the
community where people can go if they are
feeling unsafe or are experiencing what might be
described as a hate crime.
The Safe Places scheme originally focussed
on individuals with learning disabilities but in
September 2014 was re-launched for all adults
who might be at risk in the community, including
people with dementia. This has meant updating
current venues and materials with appropriate
information to ensure the scheme is fully
inclusive and meets all members’ needs.
New partnerships have been encouraged
and developed particularly with dementia led
services including the Kirklees Dementia Action
Alliance, Alzheimer’s Society and Making Space.
Membership of the scheme has steadily
increased to over 400 members and the number
of venues across Kirklees is now approaching
70. The safeguarding board continues to help
guide the scheme through its membership
on the scheme’s steering group. Members
continue to report higher feelings of confidence,
independent travel and ability to participate in
their local community.
For more information visit
https://mencapinkirklees.wordpress.com/
Kirklees
Safeguarding
Adults Board is
supporting the
SAFER (Scams &
Fraud Education for Residents) project.
This project aims to help older residents in
Kirklees to protect themselves from scammers,
fraudsters and doorstep crime
We know that 14.5m people are targeted by
scams annually, 2.5m fall victim, with an
estimated £10 billion lost to fraudsters (National
Fraud Authority 2013).
The University of Exeter (2009) found that scams
cause severe psychological harm through
keeping it secret from family members, and
the Metropolitan Police believe the impact is
equivalent to that of violent crime.
We know fear of crime can increase feelings of
isolation and decrease engagement in the local
community.
SAFER is a community protection and
empowerment programme supporting older and
vulnerable adults run by West Yorkshire Trading
Standards. The project aims to increase the
knowledge, skills and confidence of residents
to protect themselves from doorstep crime and
scams, as well as providing advice and support
on finances. The project also offers training to
front line workers to help them spot, stop and
support residents at risk of victimisation.
For more information contact Rebecca
Finch, SAFER Project officer for Kirklees and
Calderdale, on 0113 393 9814 or email
rfinch@wyjs.org.uk
NEWS
NEWS
FLASH
FLASH
Making safeguarding personal - ”allow people to take risks, give them information”
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