Nothing about us without us transforming adult safeguarding

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Nothing about us without us transforming adult
safeguarding

• Caroline Ellis
• Joint Deputy Chief Executive
• RADAR the Disability Network

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Introduction

• Systems set up to protect disabled people from
  violence, abuse and exploitation more commonly
  perpetuate it they are neither set up or
  resourced in such a way as to provide an
  effective response. Disabled people dont want to
  engage with systems that dont respect dignity,
  autonomy and equality.
• This wont change without the involvement of
  disabled people and without transformation of
  systems, culture, law and practice.

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Core principle 1

• Nothing about us without us
• Involvement/self-determination
• Equal partnership disabled people and statutory
  agencies
• Co-production of policies, practices
• Not being done to, being empowered and supported.
  
• No intervention without consent no intervention
  that deprives people of right to live in and be
  included in life of community. Link to capacity
  BUT must have rigorous, positive application of
  duty to support people to say what they want and
  develop greater capacity to make own decisions.
  Tight circumscription on where wishes may be
  overridden e.g. public interest prosecution of
  abusers even if victim does not consent as under
  domestic violence legislation.

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Core principle 2

• All public services including safeguarding
  systems must aim to secure greater freedom,
  choice, control, dignity, support to participate
  and be included in all aspects of family and
  public life (equal citizenship).
• Prevention of abuse, tough action against
  abusers, support for victims integral to this.

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Applying the principles

• Government should
• Involve disabled people in any/all governmental
  fora concerned with safeguarding
• Involve disabled people alongside other
  stakeholders in drafting new legislation rooted
  in human rights principles which provides for
  statutory boards, duty to cooperate share info,
  involvement of disabled people
• Provide necessary resources for empowering and
  inclusive safeguarding systems including
  helplines

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Applying the principles safeguarding (1)

• Adult Safeguarding Committees/Boards should
• Recruit disabled people (ideally survivors) and
  representatives of user-controlled organisations
  onto Adult Safeguarding Committees as equal
  partners ensure full support to participate.
• Revise policies and protocols e.g. Victims
  check accounts of abuse.
• Ensure accessible information disseminated about
  right to be free of exploitation, violence and
  abuse, how to identify it, what to do, where to
  go for help get redress
• Engage in proactive awareness campaigning

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Applying the principles -safeguarding (2)

• Ensure staff receive appropriate training with
  involvement of survivors
• Set up third-party reporting
• Provide access to independent advocacy throughout
  the process plus peer support
• Provide tailored support for victims (short and
  longer term) whether specific safety measures
  (emergency alarms, safe and well) or generic
  independent living or recovery oriented
• Cooperation between different authority areas key
  too portable support
• New legislation must encompass these points

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Applying the principles individual budgets (1)

• Budgets adequate to support individuals human
  rights in the round (including support to
  eliminate/mitigate against risk) and to cover PA
  training/insurance, recruitment advice and
  support, brokerage.
• Free Enhanced CRB and POVA checks for PAs
• Mind suggests offering rooms so interviews can
  take place on neutral ground, a template of
  questions and assessment criteria, or a rent a
  panel service for people interviewing potential
  personal assistants, which might be provided by a
  voluntary sector provider or a peer support
  group.
• Access to portable independent living support for
  people who need it regardless of level of need

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Applying the principles individual budgets (2)

• Punitive and discriminatory charging policies and
  restrictive eligibility criteria push people into
  poverty, isolation and potentially abusive and
  degrading situations. Reform that does not
  acknowledge and deal with this will FAIL.

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Applying the principles our own organisations
(disability movement)

• Educate, inform, empower and support we can do
  a lot with a little
• Build on and seek to replicate effective
  safeguarding/crime reduction initiatives in which
  user-controlled organisations have been involved
• Share our expertise on effective involvement
  and engagement

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Conclusion

• Safeguarding Adults Alliance provides historic
  opportunity to bring together perspectives of all
  stakeholders, unite people behind common agenda
  and force positive change.
• If involvement and human rights are at its heart
  and with concerted campaign it cannot but succeed
  not if but when.
• Caroline.Ellis_at_radar.org.uk