Read again: Safeguarding adults at risk

Is your practice up to speed with the latest adult safeguarding guidance from the CQC?

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on CQC

During inspections conducted by the CQC, it is imperative that all staff within a practice can effectively exhibit their competence in safeguarding adults at risk. To achieve this, the following actions are expected:

• Display a comprehensive comprehension of the definition of an adult at risk and the potential forms of abuse they could be subjected to.
• Demonstrate awareness of the internal protocols for documenting concerns related to safeguarding adults and how these align with the practice’s safeguarding adults policy.
• Exhibit knowledge of the external process for reporting concerns and how this aligns with local multi-agency policies and procedures.

Within each practice, a designated lead responsible for safeguarding adults at risk should be established. This individual should also be cognizant of the corresponding safeguarding adults leads within the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) and the safeguarding adults team of the local authority.

The CQC requires substantiated evidence that:

• The practice places adequate emphasis on safeguarding adults at risk.
• Staff take proactive measures in safeguarding, focusing on prevention and early identification.
• Measures are taken to safeguard individuals in situations where risks are known, appropriate responses to signs or allegations of abuse are implemented, and effective collaboration with other organizations is ensured to execute protection plans.
• Active and suitable engagement is demonstrated in local safeguarding procedures, along with productive collaboration with pertinent organizations.

Legal Framework and Guidelines:

The Care Act (2014) offers clarity on expectations regarding safeguarding adults training. Initial training for staff should encompass recognizing adults at risk of potential or actual abuse and the procedures for reporting such incidents. Safeguarding adults boards are responsible for collaborating with partners, including CCGs, to deliver this training. Practices must guarantee that all staff possess the requisite competence for their roles. In-person training sessions are a beneficial method for enhancing staff knowledge.

The Act emphasises that staff governed by professional regulations must understand how their professional standards underscore their roles in preventing, identifying, and addressing abuse and neglect. This includes adherence to codes such as the General Medical Council’s ‘Good medical practice code’ (2013) for GPs and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code for nurses.

Intercollegiate Guidance:

The Intercollegiate guidance “Adult Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff” outlines a framework that defines competencies for different roles and provides minimum training requirements. The competency framework consists of six levels:

• For all health care staff, including receptionists and administrative personnel.
• For practitioners who regularly interact with patients, families, or the public.
• For registered health care staff engaged in assessing, planning, and intervening in adults’ needs where there are safeguarding concerns.
• For specialist roles as named professionals.
• For specialist roles as designated professionals.
• For senior management and board-level individuals.

Notifying CQC of Safeguarding Incidents:

Practices must notify the CQC of safeguarding incidents related to their provision of care. This requirement does not extend to all referrals made to local authorities. Notifications are necessary when the alleged abuse is connected to the practice’s regulated activity. For instance:

• No notification is required if abuse allegations are unrelated to the regulated activity being carried out.
• Notification is mandatory if abuse allegations involve a staff member during the provision of regulated activity.

Example scenarios illustrate these notification criteria, highlighting instances when CQC notification is or isn’t required. It’s essential to notify the CQC promptly when necessary