Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Annual Report 2022/23

It is widely understood that the Japanese symbol for crisis is the same as the symbol for opportunity. Crisis is dangerous and frightening, no more so than in the safeguarding arena but it also, as the Japanese have understood for centuries, presents an opportunity for change.

We've heard the word crisis a lot in recent years and months; a global public health crisis, a national mental health crisis, a cost of living crisis. The pressures and challenges that these crises cause are well understood and exacerbated when combined, there is no doubt that we are in a crisis of crises.

As my time as chair of the Safeguarding Adults Board in Gateshead comes to an end my principle reflection is that Gateshead persistently seeks to find opportunity within crisis. This year we have seen innovation, collaboration and involvement in equal measure and this report offers a flavour of that and suggests a persistence and determination to ensure that no matter what the challenges are, we will always do our utmost to safeguarding our most vulnerable.

Innovation is apparent in the case study from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service, highlighting the importance and value of working in partnership, pulling on the strengths and resources of each other. It's clear from the outcome that without the drive of those involved to think differently, to try new approaches, that things could have turned out very differently.

Safeguarding Adults Week was a real highlight this year, the best for some time in my own opinion and credit must go to those who worked hard to organise it. The week saw a host of agencies holding a variety of briefings and training sessions and it was a thrill to see these so well attended. Collaboration on focus weeks like this not only raise the profile and importance of safeguarding adults (as seen in the lighting up of the Millennium Bridge), but also builds understanding, relationship and shared aims, which can only be a good thing for safeguarding adults in Gateshead.

The People at the Heart initiative launched this year with huge ambitions, principally to draw together those services engaging people facing multiple disadvantage and strive to improve provision. A core principal of this initiative is to improve the efficiency of forums and communication, ensuring the people at the centre of discussions remain central. This principal is rooted firmly in the principles of the Care Act: empowerment, protection, prevention, proportionality, partnership and accountability. The initiative will need full support and the energy of the board and all its partners if it is to achieve its aims.

One of things that really stands out in this report is the enthusiasm for the professional curiosity and trauma informed practice seminar delivered by Lads Like Us. The feedback from this sessions is overwhelmingly positive and once again highlights the importance of the voices of people with lived experience. Gateshead understands this importance well but we could all do more to ensure that those voices are embedded across our strategy and delivery.

There has been quite a lot of change in the last 12 months. Those changes bring opportunity, especially as we've welcomed exceptional colleagues into the board and in leadership positions across our safeguarding partnerships. I'm pleased to be handing over the chair to Nic Bailey who will be an excellent leader of the SAB at a crucial point in time. Nic has a wealth of experience and ability perfectly suited to drive the board forward, she will however need the full support of everyone. My own experience suggests she'll have it in droves.

I'm proud to have been involved with Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board for the last four years, I leave knowing that it will continue to innovate, collaborate and involve and will find opportunity in every crisis.

Phil Conn Chair, Gateshead SAB (2019-2023)