You need to understand the local arrangements in place for multi-agency Safeguarding policies and procedures.

Multi-agency policies and procedures are aimed at different agencies and people involved in safeguarding adults, including managers, professionals, volunteers and staff working in public, voluntary and private sector organisations. This includes NHS, police, social services, charities and care providers.

Despite regional variations, safeguarding policies and procedures incorporate the same principles and values, and provide guidance on how organisations can work together to protect individuals at risk.

Safeguarding Adults Boards’ (SAB) main objective is to assure itself that, through local safeguarding arrangements, partner organisations act to help and protect adults in its area who meet the criteria set out in the Care Act 2014.

The boards promote information sharing between workers and organisations to make sure care meets all of the needs of each individual. If a worker has concerns they must share these with other workers to build up a full picture of the individual’s situation.

Objectives of multi-agency policies and procedures are:

1. Empower and support individuals to make their own choices.
2. Work together to prevent abuse and protect adults at risk.
3. Investigate actual or suspected abuse within acceptable timescales.
4. Support adults at risk who are experiencing abuse, neglect and exploitation. Provide service to adults which promotes their wellbeing.

Aims of the procedures are to make sure that:

1. Individuals’ human rights are respected and upheld.
2. An appropriate and timely response is made to any suspicions or reports of an adult at risk of, or who is experiencing abuse.
3. The needs and interests of adults at risk are always respected and supported.
4. All actions are made in line with the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Health and Care Act 2022.