From the 19-25 November there will be a series of events across the country aimed at raising awareness of the issues faced by adults at risk and helping relevant organisations to provide the best support possible to those people.
The week is being run by the National Safeguarding Adults Network, which is led by the Ann Craft Trust at the University of Nottingham – a leading UK charity on safeguarding disabled children and adults at risk.
The network includes members from a range of organisations across the UK that play a role in safeguarding adults at risk from harm and abuse, and ensuring that they live a life free from harm and neglect.
Each day of the week will focus on a different safeguarding risk issue and the Ann Craft Trust will release new resources and information about each issue in the build up to the week. There will also be events held across the country by members of the network.
The issues being focused on are:
Disability hate crime – 19 November
- Forced marriage, the Prevent Agenda and domestic abuse – 20 November
- Financial abuse – 21 November
- The Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Seminar – 22 November
- Online safety and cyber bullying – 23 November
- Safeguarding adults in sport and activity – 24-25 November
Deborah Kitson, CEO of the Ann Craft Trust, says: “We wanted to set up this week to highlight the issues affecting adults at risk. It is important that, not only professionals involved in the care and support of adults, but everyone is aware of the potential risks facing many adults.
“We also want to give organisations across the country involved in the care of adults at risk the opportunity to focus on the work they are doing. It is so important that we keep these issues at the forefront of people’s minds. Safeguarding adults is the responsibility of all organisations and we need to talk about it to make sure we are getting it right.”
Former Health Minister and key disability rights campaigner, Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb said: “Safeguarding vulnerable people must always be a top priority. I am really pleased that Safeguarding Week gives us an opportunity to highlight the importance of this.
“As the Minister in the Coalition Government who took the Care Act through Parliament, it was important to me to enshrine in legislation a clear legal framework for how local authorities and other parts of the system should protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect.”
To find out more about Safeguarding Adults Week – visit the website https://www.anncrafttrust.org/events/national-safeguarding-adults-week/
Members of the National Safeguarding Adults Network also include Sense, Choice Support, Dimensions, Voiceability, United Response, Brandon Trust, MacIntyre, Advance, HFT and CVT.
