Safeguarding plans to protect the most vulnerable discussed

The Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) is a statutory body that is made up of key partners including Lancashire County Council, district councils, Lancashire Constabulary and the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

LSAB's annual report was discussed by councillors at their latest Cabinet meeting on Thursday 4 September.

In the report, LSAB's Independent Chair, Stephen Chapman, said that despite ongoing pressures on services - including the cost-of-living crisis – the board has invested in leadership and will continue to drive improvement.

LSAB's vision is that every adult in Lancashire has the right to lead a safe and fulfilling life, free from abuse and neglect, and it works with residents, carers, friends, families and communities to enable this to happen.

It ensures that organisations are working to help and protect adults who cannot protect themselves from abuse, neglect or self-neglect, because of their care and support needs, and to also promote their well-being.

Key achievements of LSAB during the past 12 months include raising awareness of safeguarding in the community, developing work to support interventions around self-neglect and hoarding, developing a new website that is easier to navigate and is more accessible, and also delivering training to more than 400 multi-agency staff which included trauma-informed awareness.

Stephen Chapman said:

"This is my second year as Independent Chair of LSAB, and I remain proud of the progress we are making together. I look forward to continuing our shared journey to ensure safeguarding arrangements across Lancashire are as effective, inclusive, and responsive as they can be.

"We are committed to learning from safeguarding reviews and continuing to improve so that we deliver the best services possible for people who need them in Lancashire."

Councillor Graham Dalton, cabinet member for Adult Social Care at Lancashire County Council said:

 "Safeguarding is seen as everybody's business in our Adult Social Care service and we remain committed to working with our partners to ensure that the most vulnerable adults are safe and have their voices heard when decisions are made about their care.

"I welcome this report that highlights the vital work being carried out by the Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board and their plans for the future."