Safeguarding
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Safeguarding vulnerable people from abuse

Over 160 delegates attending the Safeguarding Conference in Telford and organised by Shropshire Partners in Care (SPIC), were encouraged by guest speakers Karen Kalinowski from Telford & Wrekin Council and Stephen Chandler from Shropshire Council to support the partnership approach to safeguarding the most vulnerable adults in the community, through a programme of prevention and protection against abuse.

Opening the conference with Karen Kalinowski, Stephen Chandler said: “Even with lower than average levels of reported instances of vulnerable adults being abused in their own homes or in a care setting, even a single case of abuse is one too many.”

“It is only by raising awareness of the issues surrounding adult protection and the need to prevent elder abuse, that by working with the NHS, Police, care professionals and the local authorities, together we can help to protect the most vulnerable in our community” said Stephen Chandler.

These comments were echoed by Deb Holland from the Care Quality Commission and Sheila Scott OBE, Chief Executive of the National Care Association who also spoke at the SPIC conference.

Thanking the conference speakers, the Chair of Shropshire Partners in Care, Mandy Thorn, encouraged delegates to challenge bad practice and recognise success, where people in care, whether in their own homes or in residential homes are protected from abuse, saying: “There is no room for complacency in dealing with issues concerning adult protection”.

Chief Officer of SPIC Debbie Price asked delegates to support the multi-agency approach to safeguarding and to be: “Vigilant in reporting instances of abuse within the guidelines of the ISA.”

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was created as part of the Government’s Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) to help prevent unsuitable