1. The Safeguarding Plan
Where the safeguarding outcomes meeting identifies a need for a safeguarding plan, discussions should take place with the adult, their carer and advocate (where involved) to find out the needs and wishes of the adult in relation to developing a plan. Plans should be person centred and outcome focused (see Making Safeguarding Personal).
A safeguarding plan may include elements of care and support where these are directly related to safeguarding the adult from neglect or abuse. However, a safeguarding plan is not the same as a care and support plan which will cover all of the adults needs for care and support, including those relating to any specific safeguarding issues. An adult can, therefore, have a safeguarding plan and a care and support plan.
In the process of developing the safeguarding plan, it should be agreed which practitioner will be the lead for coordinating, monitoring and reviewing the plan (see Stage 6: Closing the Enquiry). Where possible, this should be the same practitioner who has coordinated the enquiry to date.
1.1 Developing the plan
The safeguarding plan should include:
- the aims and objectives, hopes and wishes of the adult and their carer as appropriate;
- the steps to be taken to assure the future safety of the adult;
- the steps the adult and their carer can take to help protect the adult;
- how each organisation / practitioner will contribute to the plan;
- any care and support, treatment or therapy, including ongoing advocacy;
- any new services or interventions that are required, or changes to existing service provision (for example an appointment of a court appointed deputy);
- how to support the adult if they wish to be involved in any formal action against an abuser, including criminal proceedings;
- how current and future risks will be identified, including an ongoing risk management plan;
- contingency plans should the safeguarding plan not achieve its objectives or if the risks to the adult change;
- arrangements for reviewing the plan if circumstances change or there is a request to do so from the adult or carer, or any involved practitioner;
- SMART (specific; measurable; achievable; realistic; timely) objectives.
The plan should be updated throughout the enquiry. Timescales for achievements and review should be built into the plan.
The plan should be recorded and available in a format that is accessible to the adult concerned. It should also be documented in the adult’s case records, as should each change.
Details of who the plan can be shared with should be agreed with the adult, and recorded in the case records.
2. Safeguarding Reviews
The lead practitioner who is responsible for coordinating the safeguarding response, should monitor the safeguarding plan on an ongoing basis using the timescales agreed when the plan was drawn up.
A multi-agency meeting with the adult, carer and advocate (where appropriate) should review the safeguarding plan.
The purpose of the safeguarding review is to:
- ascertain whether the adult is safeguarded, and evaluate any risk;
- decide whether the plan is achieving the desired outcomes;
- assess the effectiveness of the plan.
Review meetings should ascertain whether the views and wishes of the adult have changed and if so, amend the plan accordingly.
Review meetings should also discuss any changes in terms of the adult’s mental capacity, where relevant (see Mental Capacity).
The decision at the review meeting will either be:
- the safeguarding plan is no longer required; or
- the safeguarding plan needs to continue.
Where it is decided that the safeguarding plan should continue:
- any required changes to the plan should be made;
- new timescales agreed – including the next review date;
- the lead professional should agree to continue monitoring and reviewing the plan. Where this is not possible another practitioner who has been involved in the safeguarding enquiry process should take on the lead role, in agreement with the adult or their advocate.
Where there is new information that leads to concerns that the adult is at renewed risk of, or is experiencing abuse or neglect, where required and agreed by the meeting, a new safeguarding enquiry should be instigated. New enquiries are only necessary when the local authority determines it is required. If the local authority’s decision is that further enquiries in relation to new or changed risks are not required, further review and monitoring should continue.
See Closing the Enquiry for more information.
