This chapter provides information for practitioners in relation to local multi-agency training in relation to safeguarding adults from abuse or neglect.
RELEVANT CHAPTERS
The Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) should ensure that relevant partners provide training for staff and volunteers on the policy, procedures and professional practices that are in place locally, which reflects their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding adult arrangements. Employers, student bodies and voluntary organisations should also undertake this, recognising their critical role in preventing and detecting abuse. This should include:
- basic mandatory induction training with respect to awareness that abuse and neglect can take place and duty to report;
- more detailed awareness training, including training on recognition of abuse and neglect and responsibilities with respect to the procedures in their particular agency;
- specialist training for those who will be undertaking enquiries, and managers; and, training for elected members and others for example Healthwatch members; and
- post qualifying or advanced training for those who work with more complex enquiries and responses or who act as their organisation’s expert in a particular field, for example in relation to legal or social work, those who provide medical or nursing advice to the organisation or the Board.
Training should take place at all levels in an organisation and be updated regularly to reflect best practice. To ensure that practice is consistent – no staff group should be excluded.
Training should include issues relating to staff safety within a health and safety framework and also include volunteers. In a context of personalisation, the SAB should seek assurances that directly employed staff (for example personal assistants) have access to training and advice on safeguarding.
Training is a continuing responsibility and should be provided as a rolling programme. Whilst training may be undertaken on a joint basis and the SAB has an overview of standards and content, it is the responsibility of each organisation to train its own staff.
Regular face to face supervision from skilled managers and reflective practice is essential to enable staff to work confidently and competently with difficult and sensitive situations.
