About the Safeguarding Adults Board
A safeguarding adults board is a group of organisations and communities working together in the best way possible, so that people are able to live their lives free from abuse or neglect.
Quick links:
- Annual Reports - find out how the board has worked each year towards our vision and goals
- Newsletters - stay updated with the latest news, events and resources from the board and its partners
Other links:
Statutory function
The Care Act 2014 places statutory functions on the Board.
It must publish a strategic plan, write an annual report and conduct a safeguarding adult review if an adult with care and support needs dies, and abuse or neglect is suspected.
Vision and Strategic Plan
The current SAB Vision and Strategic Plan reflects the shared belief that no one should have to tolerate or be exposed to abuse, neglect or exploitation. Our vision is that the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth are places where all citizens (irrespective of age, race, gender, culture, religion, physical or mental ill health, disability or sexual orientation) live in safety, free from abuse and the fear of abuse.
Our Vision and Strategy is achieved through the SAB Business Plan.
Terms of reference
Richmond and Wandsworth SAB has endorsed the terms of reference reflecting the joint arrangements across Richmond and Wandsworth.
Risk Log
View the Richmond and Wandsworth Safeguarding Adults Board Risk Log.
Structure
The SAB has an independent Chair who is part of and reports to the SAB Executive comprising of strategic partners from the Council, Health and Police. SAB membership includes key statutory and non-statutory agencies within the two boroughs, including agencies representing service users and carers.
Independent Chair
Christabel Shawcross is the current Independent Chair of Richmond and Wandsworth Safeguarding Adults Board (RWSAB). She is currently Independent Chair of the Camden SAB and previously was, for 5 years, the Chair at Tower Hamlets and for 18 months at Enfield. She has a wealth of experience developing partnerships with health and social care and working to engage with local communities.
SAB Executive
The SAB Executive consists of senior members of the Council, Metropolitan Police and Kingston & Richmond and Wandsworth & Merton NHS Clinical Commissioning Group as its statutory partner organisations. The Care Act 2014 described these as the 'statutory partner agencies'.
In conjunction with the Independent Chair, the SAB Executive provide statutory leadership and direction to the SAB, ensuring strategic oversight and challenge.
Sub-groups
The SAB has the following sub-groups:
- Safeguarding Adults Review Sub-group
- Performance and Workforce Sub-group
- Annual Report Editorial Sub-group
- Communication and Engagement Sub-group, which is linked to the Richmond Community Forum and Wandsworth Community Forum
SAB members
SAB members include key statutory and non-statutory agencies within the two boroughs, including agencies representing service users and carers.
- Integrated Care Board (Health – previously Clinical Commissioning Group)
- Police
- Council – Adult Social Services, Public Health, Housing, Trading Standards
- Council Member Representatives
- Council Chief Executive
- Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- London Ambulance Service
- St George’s Hospital
- The Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
- Kingston Hospital
- South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust
- Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
- Your Healthcare (Richmond)
- Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare
- Healthwatch
- Age UK
- Council for Voluntary Services (Richmond)
- Carers Centre
- Safeguarding Children’s Partnerships
- Community Safety Partnership
- National Probation Service
Sub-groups
The Board meets quarterly and undertakes its work through its various groups and working parties.
| Name of subgroup | Frequency of meetings |
|---|---|
| Safeguarding Adults Review | Monthly or as required |
| Performance and Workforce | Quarterly |
| Annual Report Editorial | During writing, design and sign-off |
| Communication and Engagement | Quarterly |
| Richmond Safeguarding Community Forum | Quarterly |
| Wandsworth Safeguarding Community Forum | Quarterly |
Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) Sub-group
The SAR Sub-group was developed to oversee the Board’s response to the Section 44 of the Care Act (2014) requirement to hold a Safeguarding Adults Review when an adult dies with care and support needs or dies where abuse or neglect may have occurred.
It is chaired by the Assistant Director of Adult Social Services and Public Health (Commissioning and Quality Standards) in Richmond and Wandsworth Local Authorities and attended by senior officers designated by the three statutory partners (Council, Health and Police). The SAR Sub-group meets monthly.
The SAR Sub-group keeps the local SAR Protocol (available on the Safeguarding Adult Review page) under review to take account of local and national developments relating to SARs, including a focus on 'making safeguarding personal' through involving the relevant person or their family and friends in the SAR.
Performance and Workforce Sub-group
This sub-group will aim to measure the effectiveness of local safeguarding arrangements, including a focus on workforce development to continuously improve outcomes for local people. The sub-group will promote learning from SARs and audits and promote best practice across the partnership.
Annual Report Editorial Sub-group
This sub-group will be established annually to produce the annual report on behalf of the SAB. It will determine the report's timetable, agree style and contents, oversee the writing process, manage various governance requirements and ensure its publication and distribution.
Communication and Engagement Sub-group
This sub-group will set out an annual communication and engagement strategy and plan, reflecting SAB priorities. It will link into the two safeguarding Community Forums that will drive the priorities locally via a borough-specific approach.
Community Safeguarding Forums
The Community Forums will link with local service users and community groups. Membership includes representation from the statutory partner agencies, Healthwatch, voluntary services and local providers.
Richmond and Wandsworth Safeguarding Adults Practice Awards (RWSPA)
Richmond and Wandsworth Safeguarding Adults Board has launched Richmond and Wandsworth Safeguarding Adults Practice Awards.
To nominate, please submit the RWSPA nomination form to SAB@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.