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 give timely and proportionate responses when abuse or neglect have occurred
- verifying that safeguarding practice is always improving and enhancing the quality of life for adults in our area
In July 2019 the Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Adults Board separated from Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and joined with the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) to form the Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board (BFSB).
For more information visit the BFSB website.
Supporting people who may lack mental capacity
We promote the rights of people who may lack capacity with specific areas of their life. We do this by working within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the code of practice.
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 and is always given a high priority in safeguarding work.
The Mental Capacity Act sets out 5 principles:
- a person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that he lacks capacity
- a person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision unless all possible steps to help him to do so have been taken without success
- a person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because he makes an unwise decision
- an act done, or decision made, under the Mental Capacity Act for or on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done, or made, in their best interests
- before the act is done, or the decision is made, regard must be had to whether the plan is going to be delivered in a way that is less restrictive of the person's rights and freedom of action
View more information about the Mental Capacity Act on GOV.UK.
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 and works in partnership with these providers to improve them.
Safeguarding training
Training provides a key opportunity to support staff and volunteers in both preventing adult abuse and 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
- Mental Capacity Act (a charge may be made for this course)
- Domestic Abuse
The council may be able to provide bespoke training on safeguarding and the Mental Capacity Act for providers. This is subject to availability and there may be a charge.
For more information about any of these courses, please email organisational.development@bracknell-forest.gov.uk