Version 2: May 2012

The Sussex Multi-Agency Policy & Procedures for Safeguarding Adults at Risk are published in three formats:

• A web enabled version is available on the internet at the address below (this is the web enabled version).
• PDF versions are available from the Contents List (see Contents on the left hand side of the screen). You can either download the whole Procedures Manual in PDF or separate Parts. If you download or have access to a PDF version you must register to be alerted when the Manual is updated – see Amendments/Updates and Version Control below. Planned revisions of the Policy and Procedures are undertaken annually.
• Each section of the web enabled Policies and Procedures can be printed individually – for reference only – to access/print an individual section, click on the Print icon (see on left) in the right hand corner of any of the web enabled sections.

These Policies and Procedures replace the Sussex Multi Agency Policy & Procedures for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults (orange book) published June 2007; the interim Investigation Procedures published in July 2009; the Working Draft Policy & Procedures published in December 2010, and Version 1 of the Policy and Procedures published in July 2011, printed copies of which are now out of date.

1. Style and Formatting:

The content of the web enabled and PDF versions are exactly the same, but the style and layout are different for each of them; for example:

• The web enabled version includes functionality that is not available in the PDF version e.g. there are no hyperlinks in the PDF version;
• The PDF version includes the Contents list of appendices, though not the documents contained in the web enabled version;
• The PDF version does not include a glossary;
• The PDF version does include page numbers, the web enabled version does not.

2. Amendments/Updates and version control:

If you download or retain a hard (PDF) version, you should register to be alerted when the Policies or Procedures are updated or amended. You can do this by following this link (Contact Us ) you will then see a short form to complete e.g. with your contact details and the ability to ‘opt in’ to be alerted when the Policies and Procedures are updated. You will then receive an email alert upon republication and you can arrange to download the latest version.

3. Parts/Page Numbers:

The Policy & Procedures are presented in four Parts; Parts 1 – 3 are joint policies and procedures, Part 4 contains appendices that include Pan Sussex and National guidance:

• Part 1:Policy and Legal Framework
• Part 2: Empowerment and Prevention
• Part 3: Investigation Procedures
• Part 4: Appendix: there are links throughout the procedures to relevant appendices

Each Part is sub divided into sections. For the web enabled version, these sections are available from separate links on the Contents List; however, each of the PDF Parts contain all of the relevant sections in that Part.

Each Part of the PDF version is numbered individually, with the Part Number displayed before the Page Number e.g. Part 3: Page 5. Web pages are not numbered.

4. Empowerment and Rights:

Embedded throughout the Policy and Procedures is:

• A focus on maximising the empowerment, consent and involvement of the adult at risk
• Reference to the involvement and rights of the person alleged responsible

5. Key changes incorporated in this version:

Part 1: No updates were necessary to this section

Part 2:

1. There is additional text in: Section 2.4: under the heading:

General Considerations for People Raising an Alert

• Contact adults social care directly, without delay or, if you are a member of staff, advise your manager about your concern (unless your manager is implicated, then talk to an appropriate independent manager); contact Children's services if a child may also be affected or at risk (text in bold has been added).

2. An important change has been made to rectify an error in the flow chart under section: 2.4.1 Raising a Safeguarding Adult Concern (Alerting).

Part 3:

1. Text (in bold) has been added to:
   
   3.3 Timescales for Investigations (Flowchart)
   
   Where it is not possible to meet any of these timescales the Investigation Manager / Investigation Officer should clearly record the reasons, including good practice considerations eg: availability of the adult at risk to take part, any resource issues and a realistic timescale for the planned completion of the investigation. ‘Those involved / affected by the Investigation should be advised of this and kept updated regarding time scales and progress’.
2. There is an additional section 3.7 ‘Involving the Person Alleged responsible in Investigations’. This summarises guidance already contained throughout the Procedures in Version 1, and provides some further detail for some aspects of this.
3. There is an additional paragraph within 3.11.2 Conducting the Case Conference Process under the heading ‘Convening a Case Conference Meeting’:
   • an investigation would be considered to be incomplete where a person  or organisation alleged responsible had not been provided with the opportunity to respond and comment on the allegations or concerns investigated in such a way as would be considered to be a fair right of reply, unless to do so would pose a risk for others.
4. Guidance relating to decision making at case conferences that was contained in Appendix 13 is now included as part of Section 3.11.6 ‘Decision Making’

Part 4:

The links to the Appendices in the body of the main text are no longer greyed .

• Updates and additions to Part 4, the appendices section, are ongoing. and documents will be added as these become available and ratified;
• Appendices will consist of National and Pan Sussex documents only. Guidance for Brighton & Hove; East Sussex or West Sussex can be accessed locally.

STAY UP TO DATE: If you download/retain a hard copy (e.g. PDF version) of the Policies and Procedures, you must register to be notified when they are updated otherwise you/colleagues may not be up to date. You can do this by visiting the web enabled version (see link below) and following the link to ‘Contact Us’ – you will then see a short form to complete e.g. with your contact details and the ability to ‘opt in’ to be alerted when the Policies and Procedures are updated. You will then receive an email alert upon republication and you can arrange to download the latest version.

COPYRIGHT: The contents of the Sussex Multi-Agency Policy & Procedures for Safeguarding Adults at Risk are the copyright of Brighton & Hove, West Sussex and East Sussex Adult Safeguarding Boards. They may be downloaded or accessed for reference or to inform and assist colleagues, carers or adults who may be at risk; but they may not be used in any way for commercial gain or copied by other agencies or organisations without the written permission of an authorised representative of the Brighton & Hove, West Sussex and East Sussex Adult Safeguarding Boards.

Domain name: The domain name/web address for the web version of the manual is http://pansussexadultssafeguarding.proceduresonline.com/index.htm