Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board
As part of the Care Act 2014 all local authorities must have a Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) in place. The board’s main objective is to make sure local safeguarding arrangements are in place. Partners of the board (statutory, private and voluntary sector organisations) must help and protect adults who meet the criteria in the Care Act 2014.
The SAB has a role in overseeing and leading adult safeguarding across the area. It also has a role as a source of advice and assistance. This includes:
- assuring itself that safeguarding practice is about getting the right outcome for the person involved
- working together to stop abuse and neglect where possible
- confirming that agencies and individuals respond quickly and appropriately to abuse or neglect
- verifying that safeguarding practice is always improving and enhancing the quality of life for adults in our area
The Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board (BFSB) was established in 2019 to ensure an ‘all age’ approach to the protection of children and adults.
For more information visit the BFSB website.
Supporting people who may lack mental capacity
The ability to understand and make a decision when it needs to be made is called 'mental capacity'.
The Mental Capacity Act covers people in England and Wales who can’t make some or all decisions for themselves. Mental capacity is a central issue in adult safeguarding cases. The adult must always be placed at the very heart of the decision-making process.
When considering a person’s capacity, it is important that steps are taken to try and support them to make their own decisions. We do this by working within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the code of practice.
The Mental Capacity Act sets out 5 principles:
- a person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that they lack capacity
- a person must be supported as much as realistically possible to help them to make the decision themselves
- unwise decisions do not necessarily mean the person lacks capacity
- decisions must be made in the person’s best interests
- consideration must be given to ensuring that the least restrictive option is chosen
View more information about the Mental Capacity Act on the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are an amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They apply in England and Wales only.
Find out more about DoLS.
Monitoring the quality of care and support we provide
The council commissions care and support providers that are of a high standard. However on occasions the expected standards are not maintained.
Our care governance process makes sure that the council has a robust and consistent approach to identifying areas of concern or poor practice. It works in partnership with with providers and other agencies to improve them.
Safeguarding training
Training supports staff and volunteers in preventing adult abuse, being able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and respond appropriately. The council provides the following training to local providers and volunteers:
- Safeguarding Level 1 – introductory awareness raising
- Domestic Abuse
For more information about any of these courses, please email learning.development@bracknell-forest.gov.uk