On this page you will find resources which relate to specific areas of safeguarding practice.
Please note that documents denoted with an asterisk (*) contain a link to an old version of the Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures website. Please access the Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures website via its new URL.
Previous page: Core safeguarding learning resources
This toolkit provides staff with necessary guidance and information around working with adults with complex needs, including signposting to useful resources and policies. There are also various accompanying templates, which can be used and adapted by all agencies.
Please note, the toolkit should be used in conjunction with the Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policies & Procedures, which, although safeguarding specific, have useful information on working with complex needs.
Please note: If your agency already has similar resources in place, please use them in accordance with the expectations of your agency. Our templates are available to use and adapt by agencies who do not have any existing similar documents to support practice with complex needs.
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Domestic abuse refers to abuse and harm by either a current or ex-partner, family relation or live in carer. In order for domestic abuse to be considered under the safeguarding pathway, the victim needs to have care and support needs.
Please visit the West Sussex County Council domestic and sexual violence and abuse webpages for guidance about support available in West Sussex, including how to refer to WORTH Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse services.
You can find out more from the pan-Sussex Safeguarding Policies and Procedures section on domestic abuse. Please also see our Safeguarding Thresholds document section on domestic abuse and the different types of abuse and harm.
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In December 2024, the West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board identified that there is a learning need in the partnership around homelessness. This was specifically in relation to reducing the stigma experienced by people experiencing homelessness; supporting access to services; and reinforcing the need for trauma-informed care.
This resource pack has been designed to be used by teams, and to provide a starting point for discussions, and policy and practice reflection. It can be used in team meetings, or as part of internal training opportunities.
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Language is a powerful tool for communication. But, sometimes the way that we use language can create stigma or provide barriers to understanding or positive engagement. Read our learning briefing, and listen to our podcast, to find out about the impact of our language, and how changes in the language we use can have a substantial effect upon thinking.
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The Mental Capacity Act (2005) is a legal framework for people over the age of 16 who may lack the mental capacity to make specific decisions, on a permanent or temporary basis.
Please refer to the Mental Capacity Act learning briefing and podcast to learn more about what may affect someone's mental capacity; how capacity should be assessed; and what happens after a capacity assessment.
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Multi-agency working means recognising that West Sussex agencies are a partnership, committed to working together to support Adults experiencing
risk.
Read the Multi-Agency Working and Communication Learning Briefing to find out how you can work effectively with other agencies, and what to do if disagreements arise. You can also listen to the 8-minute podcast.
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A person-centred approach means putting the Adult with care and support needs at the centre of any process or decision in order to support their needs, goals, and outcomes to be met. This approach moves away from professionals deciding what is best for an Adult by making them central to the planning of their care and support.
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Our Kingswood Organisational Learning Review (2021) and our Safeguarding Adults Review in respect of DJT (2023) told us that learning across agencies is needed regarding the difference between quality and safeguarding concerns.
Read our learning briefing for an understanding of the interface between quality and safeguarding, what good care looks like, and how to raise a concern.
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Professional curiosity is the capacity and skills of communication to explore and understand what is happening for a person rather than making assumptions or accepting things at face value. It requires skills of looking, listening, asking direct questions and being able to hold difficult conversations.
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Some of our recent Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) have highlighted the importance of ensuring a person-centred approach is adopted when working with adults with care and support needs.
Where possible, agencies are encouraged to actively involve the adult in discussions, and to ensure that written evidence of the adult’s views and thoughts are recorded. For information and tips about recording in a person-centred way, please read our learning briefing.
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Self-neglect is an extreme lack of self-care, to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety, and it is sometimes associated with hoarding and may be a result of other issues such as addictions. It can sometimes be a result of underlying issues such as:
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Trauma-informed care means being able to see beyond an adult’s presenting behaviours and to ask, ‘what has happened to you’ rather than ‘what is wrong with you?’ It involves recognising when someone may be affected by trauma, collaboratively adjusting how we work to take this into account, and responding in a way that supports recovery.
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