Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Annual Report 2024/25

Local Authority housing

We continue to play an active role in multi-agency safeguarding groups, including the Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board (GSAB), where we chair the Quality, Learning and Practice sub-group. We also contribute to the Joint Strategic Exploitation Group, the SAR & Complex Cases Group, and attend operational forums such as PIT Stop and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings.

Strengthening safeguarding

Our involvement ensures we stay informed of legislative and practice developments while benefiting from peer collaboration. The Partnership & Inclusion Coordinator supports daily PIT Stop meetings, offering housing advice and facilitating swift case allocation. This approach has strengthened links between housing and safeguarding, ensuring concerns with housing needs are addressed appropriately—even when they fall below safeguarding thresholds.

Adult Social Care introduced changes to the ASSET team structure, altering how concerns are triaged and reducing the number of complex case meetings. However, stronger partnerships have developed between ASSET workers and Neighbourhood Housing Officers, enabling joint working where needed. Housing representatives continue to attend complex case meetings when a housing need is identified, with the Partnership & Inclusion Coordinator allocating actions where necessary.

In 2024/25, Housing received 190 domestic abuse reports. Of these, 103 were investigated as anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases, with support provided to both victims and perpetrators. The remaining 110 cases involved re-housing support from Domestic Abuse Housing Outreach Workers.

Housing was represented at all 52 MARAC meetings, where 416 victims were discussed. Of these, 170 (41%) were council tenants, and 66 (16%) of perpetrators were either council tenants or living with one. The Neighbourhood Relations Team conducted detailed research to support each case, including tenancy history, ASB involvement, and security measures.

Changes to the ASSET team have reshaped how concerns are triaged, reducing complex case meetings but improving joint working between ASSET staff and Neighbourhood Housing Officers. Housing representatives attend meetings where a housing need is identified, with the Partnership & Inclusion Coordinator stepping in when needed.

In 2024/25, Housing received 190 domestic abuse reports. Of these, 103 were investigated as ASB cases, while 110 victims were supported with re-housing by Domestic Abuse Housing Outreach Workers.

Housing was represented at all 52 MARAC meetings, where 416 victims were discussed. Of these, 170 (41%) were council tenants, and 66 (16%) of perpetrators were either council tenants or living with one. The Neighbourhood Relations Team provided detailed case research to support multi-agency decision-making.

In 2024/25, 16 actions were agreed through MATAC to address perpetrator behaviour, including joint visits with police, ASB case management, tenancy monitoring, and victim support.

A total of 64 sanctuary/security measures were installed in council properties, benefiting 46 households—primarily through lock changes and security lighting. Additionally, 41 measures were provided to 26 victims in privately owned or rented homes.

We are working with the Council's Domestic Abuse team to develop a tailored support pathway for older victims. Our Housing-related Domestic Abuse Policy is currently being refreshed to align with Housing Regulator consumer standards, incorporating good practice and lived experience. Refresher training will follow once the policy is finalised.

A benchmarking review was carried out to explore why domestic abuse remains the leading cause of homelessness in Gateshead. This included comparing local practices with other authorities and reporting findings to the Board. Further analysis is underway to identify best practice.

In 2024/25, there were 12 new hoarding cases, 8 closures, and 7 active cases. These often require long-term support, with an average resolution time of 355 working days due to the need to build trust and provide tailored help.

The 'Less is More' peer support group, developed with Northumbria University, continues to meet monthly at Bensham Grove Community Centre. Open to anyone with lived experience of hoarding, the group shares insights and hosts guest speakers offering advice and support. A dedicated Facebook page also provides resources and links.

Following ministerial guidance issued in May 2024, Gateshead has strengthened its approach to safeguarding rough sleepers. Key recommendations included improved governance, a named board member, inclusion in strategies and reports, and commissioning SARs for deaths involving rough sleeping.

Our Rough Sleeper Coordinator and Neighbourhood Relations Team attend partnership meetings to share intelligence and support engagement. Work is ongoing to improve referral quality across housing teams, with updates managed via the Safeguarding Lead. Housing safeguarding guidance is being refreshed, with staff briefings planned.

Learning and development

The Partnership & Inclusion Coordinator co-delivered two multi-agency safeguarding training sessions and contributed to revised content, including "Making Safeguarding Personal." They also joined team briefings to promote safeguarding referrals across housing services.

Adult Social Care

Adult Social Care continues to play an active role in local safeguarding arrangements and strengthening partnership working, in alignment with the priorities set out in the GSAB strategic plan.

CQC assessment - 'Good' rating

In March 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated Gateshead's Integrated Adult Social Care teams as 'Good', recognising their commitment to helping people lead fulfilling lives in the community. The report highlighted that safety was a shared priority for everyone, with risks across care journeys being clearly identified, well understood, proactively managed, and consistently monitored. The voices of people who use services, as well as those of partners and staff, were actively listened to and considered.

The CQC particularly commended the local authority's collaborative work with the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) and other partners, recognising a coordinated and effective approach to adult safeguarding.

Local safeguarding arrangements were highlighted, with the report noting: "There were effective systems, processes, and practices in place to ensure people were protected from abuse and neglect. The local authority had a clear pathway for receiving and responding to safeguarding concerns."

During the reporting year, Adult Social Care successfully recruited permanent staff to its Safeguarding Triage Team and enhanced its operational safeguarding arrangements. The CQC report specifically referenced these developments, highlighting their positive impact on consistency and understanding of safeguarding practices. Staff and partners spoke positively about the new safeguarding team and model. "They told us there was clear understanding of who was accountable, with improved collaboration between colleagues."

Strengthening safeguarding

During this year we have continued to strengthen our safeguarding arrangements and make improvements to guidance about what constitutes a safeguarding concern.  Work has been undertaken to ensure our front facing Mosaic/GOSS portal streamlines and captures appropriate information, places the individual at the centre of the process, and provides clear guidance to support the identification of the correct pathway selection from the outset.

Partners have been offered shadowing opportunities to gain direct, experiential insight into operational practices related to Section 42 enquiries. This initiative aims to strengthen multi-agency understanding of when a safeguarding concern is appropriate, through direct learning.

We have also developed and introduced a new hub model at our front door to facilitate the timely triaging of safeguarding concerns and ensure the right pathway is followed from the point of referral. The new Safeguarding Interface hub launched in April 2025 and supports timely decision-making and improved outcomes for those who require a safeguarding response.

Safeguarding pathways continue to be enhanced across the service through close collaboration with Commissioning colleagues. This has positioned us strongly within the safeguarding system to effectively respond to and implement the actions and recommendations arising from the Thematic Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR).

Data and information

During this reporting year, substantial progress has been made to align the GSAB and Operational Safeguarding dashboards, ensuring they are equipped to identify emerging trends and patterns that inform strategic planning and service development. This work has placed a strong emphasis on preventative approaches and has enhanced learning and development through the intelligent use of data and insights.

Improvements to the case management system have strengthened the quality and consistency of recorded data, supporting more robust reporting and better-informed decision-making. Additionally, the appointment of a Safeguarding Hub Partnership Officer will play a key role in advancing thematic analysis, enabling earlier identification of trends and pressure points across the system.

Learning and development

A Multi-Agency Learning from Deaths process has been established to review cases where individuals have died during safeguarding enquiries. This ensures that any learning opportunities or alternative pathways are identified and acted upon promptly. Although still in its early stages, the process has already received positive feedback from partners and aligns with recommendations from the Thematic Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR).

In addition, we have developed and co-delivered tailored Mental Capacity Act training to the multi-agency partnership, with a specific focus on executive capacity and functioning. To support this, a concise 7-minute briefing is being produced to provide accessible guidance for staff. This work will also support the Blue Light Project Operational Group and reinforce learning from SARs.

Adult Social Care's strong commitment to continuous learning and development was also recognised in the CQC report, which stated: "Lessons were learned when people had experienced serious abuse or neglect, and action was taken to reduce future risks and drive best practice."

Engagement

Work continues across the service to ensure that Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) remains embedded and central to all safeguarding activity. Multi-agency practice guidance is being developed to enhance understanding and application of MSP principles. In parallel, efforts are underway to strengthen and embed advocacy responsibilities within audits, performance reporting, and contract monitoring and this will form the basis of a future project plan.

Our commitment to MSP was also recognised in the CQC report, which noted: "People were put at the centre of safeguarding decisions, and we heard examples of people being kept safe in ways that aligned with their wishes."

Northumbria Police

Gateshead Area Command is in the early stages of implementing the HIVE model, which will see police co-located with a range of statutory partners to enhance the collective response to exploitation, vulnerability, and domestic abuse. By harnessing the expertise of a broad spectrum of professionals through daily tasking and information sharing, the model aims to deliver a more tailored and dynamic response to community needs.

The first phase involves the Neighbourhood Policing Team relocating to the Civic Centre in late November

Key developments include:

• Exploitation SPOC Trial: A three-month pilot has commenced, with a  PC acting as the Single Point of Contact for exploitation who will be the conduit between the MASH, Local Authority, and Neighbourhood Policing Team, attending safeguarding and missing meetings, facilitating information sharing, and standardising risk assessments and harm plans.
• Mental Health Problem-Solving Team: The Prevention Department has launched a dedicated team with new terms of reference, focused on managing small cohorts of individuals who pose high harm or demand within local areas.
• Suicide Prevention Working Group: A newly formed multi-agency group, attended by Public Health and Domestic Abuse leads across the region, is now in place. A regional suicide prevention conference is scheduled for January 2026.
• Serious and Organised Exploitation Team: Northumbria Police has introduced a new team working alongside partners to ensure a coordinated multi-agency approach to safeguarding victims of exploitation.
• Reduction in Missing Adult Incidents: Gateshead has seen a 16% decrease in missing adult incidents compared to the previous 12-month period. The introduction of the Missing from Home team within the Prevention Department has contributed to a reduction in repeat incidents through a problem-solving approach.
• Reviews Team Restructure: The Reviews Team has undergone a structural change and staffing uplift, ensuring that learning and actions from reviews are embedded, implemented, and evaluated for impact at the earliest opportunity.

Partnership Reduction of Exploitation and Missing (PREM)

Partners in Gateshead were key to a multi-agency task and finish group to consider improvements to the system so that the process was standardised across all six LAs in the Northumbria Police area to:

• Include adults in the process
• To be outcome focussed
• To not only focus on the victim, but also on the offender to remove/resolve the issue and also the location. 

As a result, a new process was agreed - Partnership Reduction of Exploitation and Missing (PREM) which will put the onus on each local authority to gate keep cases, which will give back a number of hours back to partners and ensure a multi-agency problem solving meeting to work together to reduce risk, tackle perpetrators and disrupt hot spot locations. The PREM meeting will be chaired by a Detective Inspector from the Prevention Department, Northumbria Police to ensure a corporate and consistent approach. Following agreement to proceed on this basis in June 2024, a roadshow, training and raising awareness with partners will be undertaken in summer 2024 before the new process is launched in the autumn of 2024. The impact of this new process will be monitored at a strategic level.​

The new process will be monitored at a strategic level.​

Northeast and North Cumbria ICB (NENC ICB)

Following a Government announcement on March 13th NENC ICB are undergoing a further restructure to reduce running costs and make efficiency savings. The previous restructure completed in April 2024 saw the introduction to the Safeguarding Adults Team of a Deputy Designated nurse role and a change to the Safeguarding nurses to become all age Safeguarding Specialist Practitioners to promote skill mix and succession planning.

Newcastle Gateshead Local Delivery Team is managed under the umbrella of the larger organisation. Delivery Teams and the Safeguarding Teams in each local delivery area report to the NENC ICB's Safeguarding Executive meeting which is chaired by the Executive Chief Nurse, facilitating an assurance and escalation process for safeguarding issues across the NENC ICB.

During this current restructure the Team will continue to support the delivery of the NENC ICB strategic priorities of:

• Longer and healthier lives
• Fairer outcomes for all
• Better health and care services
• Giving Children and Young People the best start in life

The Key Areas of Learning for Safeguarding, Domestic Abuse, Self-Neglect, Transitional Safeguarding and Children in Care, align us to delivery of the strategic plan of Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board working with multi agency partners.

Strengthening safeguarding

The NENC ICB remain committed to supporting multi agency training and education, participating in the Learning and Development Group and dissemination of learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) and Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs), seeking assurance from commissioned services regarding recommendations and outcomes. More recently the multi-agency partnership working has extended to Public Health colleagues with appreciative enquiry to highlight areas of good practice and further develop services to meet the needs of the increasing vulnerable population and Making Safeguarding Personal.

Recent case reviews have highlighted the importance of working with multi- agency partners including Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) where information has been disseminated and changes made to improve services following recommendations from reviews.

There has been significant work carried out to improve cross border working particularly where health (including mental health) and social care providers are from different areas, which makes communication more challenging, but essential to provide better health care services and improve outcomes. 

Following the Independent Thematic Review commissioned by GSAB into a care provider, the NENC ICB have been a key partner in contributing to the report, recommendations and actions. Information has been disseminated to General Practice (GP), Quality and Continuing Health Care Teams. GP training has been delivered by the Named GP for Safeguarding and Designated Nurse to ensure safeguarding concerns are raised and escalated appropriately; particularly where organisational issues are highlighted. The NENC ICB are supporting with development of tools and processes to ensure that agencies have clear guidance.

The NENC ICB Safeguarding Team support the Named GPs with online and face to face training for Primary Care staff to promote good practice from case review recommendations, sharing learning and developing easily accessible resources. Further support for individual practices is provided on a case-by-case basis where there are complex needs and/ or multi agency working. One of the Named GPs has been involved with the 'Make a Change' programme, which is a community-wide, early response approach to people who are concerned that they are using harmful behaviours in their intimate, or previously intimate, relationships. Training has been delivered, and primary care have been supported by the Named GP in identifying and referring patients to this programme.

The NENC ICB safeguarding team support the Local Authority safeguarding team with complex cases involving health issues and have been an integral part in the development of a Section 42 Closure process following death, where consideration is given to an individual's health concerns being considered as part of a wider safeguarding enquiry.

Learning and development

NENC ICB Exploitation Nurse raises awareness of exploitation and modern slavery, delivers training sessions and facilitates health support into modern slavery operations led by the Police.

The NENC ICB safeguarding team discharges its duty to collaborate supporting and contributing to multi agency working including supporting asylum seekers, hate crime prevention, Prevent, Community Safety Partnerships and the Local Domestic Abuse Partnership Board. Safeguarding Adults Week 2024 was promoted across the NENC ICB highlighting themes and raising awareness.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNFT)

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNFT) is committed to ensuring safeguarding is part of its core business and recognises that safeguarding young people and adults at risk is a shared responsibility with the need for effective joint working between partner agencies and professionals.

We recognise that safeguarding can be complex and challenging, and we strive to ensure our service reflects the trusts ICORE values by being Innovative, caring, open and honest, respectful, and engaging with our patients, families, partners and staff.  We continue to respond and support staff in ensuring a high-quality safeguarding service for the Trust.

As a Trust we continue to see a significant increase in complex safeguarding activity in both acute and community settings. A total of 1170 safeguarding concerns have been raised between April 2024-March 2025, mainly in relation to neglect, self-neglect, domestic abuse, physical and financial abuse.

Working in partnership and strengthening relationships with our partners remains an important part of the teams work with complex safeguarding cases including self-neglect, hoarding, capacity, substance misuse and complex health needs. The team continue to play an active role and contribute to various multi-agency meetings, Safeguarding Adult Reviews, MARAC, MAPPA and Domestic Abuse related Death Reviews. Focusing on Sharing any learning and implementing any recommendations made, which is vital in continuing to improve safeguarding practice within the Trust.

The Trust continues to raise awareness of the application of the Mental Capacity Act. The Trust has continued to recognise the challenges in the use of the Mental Capacity Act.

The Mental health Legislation service within the Safeguarding Adults team works to ensure that professionals are working in accordance with legislation and ensuring patient safeguards are met by educating staff on the legal frameworks of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and the Mental Health Act (MHA). The team supports practice with the provision of training, advice, support, and policies, to ensure the rights of our patients are supported and upheld.

As a Trust we are continuing to see a significant increase in the number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. A total of 1084 DoLS applications were received between April 2024-March 2025.

The Trust have continued to focus on increasing the safeguarding compliance and ensuring that all staff are assigned to the appropriate level of training. Focusing on level 3 safeguarding, prevent, MCA, and domestic abuse training. Additionally, looking at face to face training sessions working in partnership with the children's safeguarding team. The team also deliver safeguarding training as part of the multi-agency training programme.

Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW)

Key achievements

Recruitment to Named Professional roles has been successful, with 2 Named Professionals and 1 Named Nurse now in post. allowing for improved safeguarding oversight and support to CNTW services but also creating capacity for greater involvement and interfacing with locality SAB/CSP subgroups, task and finish groups and joint initiatives. 

A dedicated Safeguarding Dashboard has been developed and is in the final stages of review prior to going live. This will allow the organisation to monitor and review safeguarding information, to identify trends and learning, to better support safeguarding practice at a strategic and operational level.

CNTW Trust Quality and Safety priorities for 2025 - 2026 have a focus on; reducing incidents of Violence and Aggression, reducing Restrictive Practice, reducing incidents of Self Harm and suicide and improving Physical Health care. Safeguarding leads have membership of the working groups to ensure action plans and service/practice developments are considered through a Safeguarding lens.

Good practice

The Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) continues to embed across the organisation, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement. Internally, this has led to more compassionate responses to incidents, improved staff engagement, and greater transparency in learning processes. Externally, partners benefit from enhanced collaboration, increased trust, and assurance that the organisation is committed to delivering safer, more responsive care. In line with this framework incident reporting and review systems ensure that the classification of incidents retains relevant safeguarding information, to enable incidents to be reviewed, clinicians supported, and patients safeguarded.

Domestic Abuse awareness sessions have been provided to teams Trustwide. Training is reflective of local DHR/DARDR learning.

A Trustwide weekly question was developed to assess and improve domestic abuse awareness. This was an automatic pop up on accessing the trust intranet and included links to further information, briefings and policy. 84.45% of the Trust workforce demonstrated a robust understanding of Domestic Abuse and the appropriate actions to take to safeguard victims, with a further 7.92% identifying that they would seek appropriate advice and guidance from the SAPP team.

Working with partners

The internal MARAC admin process has been reviewed and increased admin support is in place for SAPP practitioners, to ensure a robust and timely response to MARAC concerns and referrals.

The CNTW Clinical Police Liaison Lead has worked collaboratively with the Northumbria Police Mental Health Lead to improve multi agency awareness and processes in the context of criminal investigations and mental health. They will be presenting this valuable work at the National Police Chief and College of Policing Mental health and Policing Conference on 26th June 2025.

The CNTW Safeguarding and Public Protection PREVENT lead, Nigel Atkinson, has been recognised with a Head of Department Commendation by the Head of Prevent. This award has been presented in recognition of his valuable support to Counter Terrorism Policing in the Northeast, his participation in Channel and Police Led Panels and the vital support he has offered to vulnerable suspects whilst in custody.

Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP)

MSP information, including a 7-minute briefing, guidance and good practice examples have been circulated via the Trustwide Bulletin. The information is readily available on the Trust intranet and is referred to during Safeguarding supervisions where appropriate. A "My Personal Safeguarding" framework is consistently utilised by clinical staff when responding to and exploring safeguarding incidents or concerns, to support referrals to Local Authority Safeguarding services.

Safeguarding Adults and Children Level 3 training is mandatory for all qualified clinical staff. The training package is reviewed and updated regularly. It includes information and guidance relating to Making Safeguarding Personal.

In 2024 CNTW launched a new service user and carer experience survey: "The ultimate aim is that people have a voice, and we hear that voice". The survey was co-developed with almost 300 people, half of who were service users. The survey questions reflect what the group told us were the most important themes. The survey is now more accessible and can be received in by email, text, letter, printed copy, and on-demand online. Speech and Language Therapy and other colleagues worked with the group to make the questions as accessible as possible.

Safeguarding priorities or developments for the coming year

There are sustained increases in Safeguard reporting within the organisation. Focused work will review the triage functions capacity to review all safeguarding incidents and the quality and consistency of the triage advice offered.

Further work is to be undertaken to support accurate safeguarding reporting and data capture, to better inform CNTW and external partners of our Safeguarding activity and allow targeted improvement work to take place.

CNTW continue to be committed to working collaboratively with partnership boards to identify and dynamically respond to learning and areas of development, highlighted through DHR/DARDR/CSPR/case reviews. Work is ongoing to review representation at Boards and Partnerships to support greater consistency and improve attendance.

The Trust Wide SAPP group attendance and structure is being reviewed and will in future include the Nominated Representative from the NENC ICB, which will improve strategic alignment, enhance multi-agency collaboration, and strengthen the consistency and quality of safeguarding practices across the system.

Claire Andre receives Commendation from Northumbria Police

Claire Andre, the Trust's Clinical Police Liaison Lead, has been presented with a commendation from Northumbria Police for her dedication, hard work and support on the rollout of the new "Right Care, Right Person" approach.

Claire has been instrumental in the Trust's preparation for the roll-out of this new approach by the Police, working closely with local forces and CNTW teams affected by the changes.  Claire has prepared guidance and documentation attended regular incident reviews meetings, provided valuable advice and support to staff and ran regular training webinars.

The certificate was presented by Assistant Chief Constable Alderson from Northumbria Police.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT)

Key achievements

The safeguarding team continues to work closely with multi-agency partners to protect adults at risk and share learning. In 2024/25, the focus was on insights from SARs, DARDRs, and DHRs, covering topics such as professional curiosity, trauma-informed practice, MSP, self-neglect, and mental capacity. Key messages were shared via forums, newsletters, briefings, and governance meetings.

Safeguarding supervision has been reviewed to adopt a "Think Family" approach, clarifying staff responsibilities and available support. The team maintained core functions including advice, supervision, training, and a visible presence across wards and departments. In total, STSFT staff submitted 1,801 safeguarding referrals during the year.

Learning and development

Safeguarding Adult training has been reviewed to align with national guidance and learning from SARs. STSFT adopted the national e-learning package for Levels 1 and 2, while Level 3 "Think Family" training continues via hybrid delivery. Interactive tools like Slido support real-time feedback, and staff remain compliant across all training levels.

MCA training is well embedded, with a refresher module focused on practical application. Additional CPD packages are available 24/7 via the internal repository, covering complex topics such as executive dysfunction, domestic abuse and mental capacity, and diabetes. The diabetes package was recognised nationally and is now hosted on the NHS Futures platform.

The DoLS Team continues to support compliance through daily monitoring tools and ward-based training. Bespoke presentations help staff complete MCA and DoLS forms accurately using the Electronic Patient Record System.

Staff are further supported through the Mental Capacity Good Practice Forum, which promotes learning from case law and shares best practice. The MCA Lead represents STSFT nationally and has established a support group for health sector MCA leads.

Using the NHS England self-assessment tool, the team identified areas for improvement, including involving people with lived experience. In response, a training video was developed with Twisting Ducks Theatre to support staff working with adults with learning disabilities in maternity care.

A service evaluation is underway with former patients who experienced delirium, alongside input from families. Staff engagement continues through podcast interviews, including one highlighting the challenges faced by internationally recruited nurses in applying MCA legislation.

Working with partners

Senior staff continue to represent the Trust at Safeguarding Adult Boards. Safeguarding Team continue to be active members of local partnerships ensuring representation and contribution across all sub-group meetings. The Safeguarding Team are active participants within the Complex Adult Risk Management (CARM) meetings within the Sunderland and South Tyneside locality and are a central point of contact for the Sunderland MASH Health Navigator.

The team continues to promote MCA practice through presentations at conferences and bespoke training across clinical areas. Collaboration with CNTW's Psychiatric Liaison Team supports understanding of the interface between mental health and capacity legislation.

Audit remains central to improving practice. Internal audits have led to enhancements in assessment forms and the introduction of masterclass sessions. External audits by Audit One rated our DoLS and MCA processes positively, with clear action plans.

Work to improve MCA compliance in paediatric services for 16-17-year-olds included audits, policy updates, and tailored training. Changes to the Electronic Patient Record System now prompt assessments, and this work has been shared at conferences.

We've also developed podcasts to promote MCA in practice, including one featuring an internationally trained nurse discussing legal framework challenges.

Domestic Abuse Health Advocates (DAHAs), in partnership with the safeguarding team, continue to support staff in recognising and responding to disclosures of domestic abuse across wards, ED, maternity, and community settings. Increased visibility has led to a rise in referrals. In 2024, the Trust achieved White Ribbon accreditation.

The safeguarding intranet page is regularly updated, now featuring a dedicated section on sexual violence to ensure staff have 24/7 access to relevant guidance and support.

Recent DAHA feedback from patients include:

"You supported me throughout my first days here and also my very worst days at rock bottom when I was in so much pain. I'll never know how to thank you. Your work has made me safe again - something I thought was unimaginable".

"It's rare to experience a professional who listens to you and who empathises. You considered every thought and feeling I had - even if the next was the opposite of the last".

"Please never ever lose the passion and drive you have for your job and simply to help people like me! (Although never simple!)'"

"You are part of the reason I have been protected and I don't know how to ever thank you for that. Your job makes a difference to people in so many ways, I'm sure you already knew that! Thank you so much for your hard work and support this week".

"Thank you for fighting for me and keeping me safe".

Good practice

The STSFT Safeguarding Team won the Trust's Corporate Team of the Year award and achieved White Ribbon accreditation in 2024, with several ambassadors and champions across the organisation.

The Trust launched the NHS Sexual Safety Charter, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct. A dedicated sexual violence section has been added to the safeguarding intranet for staff support.

The 2024/25 safeguarding audit cycle included reviews of Emergency Department (ED) attendance, policy compliance, self-neglect guidance, and chaperone policy. Daily ED audits continue to identify missed safeguarding opportunities, with findings discussed at Clinical Governance meetings.

Staff access to safeguarding support has increased through enhanced ward presence, including daily attendance at ED huddles and Paediatric ED.

Safeguarding link forums and bi-monthly newsletters continue to share key learning, training opportunities, and briefings from SARs, CSPRs, DHRs, and DARDRs. In 2024/25, learning was shared from cases including Child S, Child C & D, SAR Joseph, and others.

Topics covered included trauma-informed practice, mental capacity, self-neglect, professional curiosity, extremism, knife crime, and substance misuse. The safeguarding intranet page remains a central resource, with positive feedback received from staff on the usefulness of the content.

Making Safeguarding Personal

STSFT safeguarding team continue to contribute to both National and local safeguarding campaigns. These include:

Successful roll out of events to celebrate Safeguarding Adults/ Learners Week 2024, the key theme was 'Working in Partnership" A robust programme of activity and training sessions shared with staff and partners. Safeguarding stalls were set up in acute trust sites to raise safeguarding awareness with staff and patients.

As part of "Think family" the team participated in knife crime awareness 2024. This week-long initiative aims to shed light on the detrimental effects of knife crime while providing educational resources about its risks and consequences. A hot topic session was organised which was delivered by the Education Liaison Officer at Northumbria VRU.

On White Ribbon Day 2024, the DAHA team were visible in the hospital to raise awareness of domestic abuse with front line staff and patients.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS)

Strengthening safeguarding and learning and development

In 2024, TWFRS changed its safeguarding reporting system to improve the quality, administration, and speed of referrals to LAs across our region, including Gateshead. This work was done in collaboration with our software partner, CIVICA, over nine months, and recent internal evaluation has been overwhelmingly positive, with other Fire and Rescue Services across the country, looking to learn from the system we have created.

To ensure that the quality of referrals improve, and to embrace Making Safeguarding Personal, we worked closely with local safeguarding business managers, especially Catherine Hardman, GSAB Business Manager.

This change in procedure gave us the opportunity to deliver safeguarding training around thresholds and "Safeguarding v safeguarding" to all operational firefighters, and other frontline staff, in a concentrated period during the summer.

Alongside this technical change, we have created a Safeguarding Adults information leaflet, for frontline staff to offer the individuals they are concerned about, demystifying the process, and give frontline staff the support to engage in conversations about safeguarding, inline with MSP.

South Tyneside & Gateshead Probation Service

Learning and development

Within Probation we continue to ensure all staff complete regular safeguarding training with the expectation this is refreshed every three years. In addition, staff are encouraged to engaged in wider multi agency training to improve both knowledge and networking with other agencies.  In 2024-25 we have been focusing on Professional Registration for Probation Officers which includes attendance at face-to-face adult and child safeguarding events to ensure a culture of continuous professional learning is promoted and staff are aware of current practice and process. We also use learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews to improve our service delivery.

Strengthening safeguarding

Our staff are improving their knowledge of trauma informed practise and using this to support the individuals they work with. This year has also seen an improved focus on supporting those with increased levels of self-harm and suicidal ideation through the development of an individual safety plan to be completed with those at risk to ensure we are keeping people safe.

Prevention

We continue to work closely and collaboratively with partnership agencies to address issues around domestic abuse and deliver interventions in both a group and one to one format with the aim of reducing further offending.

Involvement and engagement

Within Probation we use peoples lived experience to support our service delivery and promote new ideas and change.  We currently have an established Engaging People on Probation Forum which runs quarterly

Connected Voice

Connected Voice has continued to provide advocacy to people in vulnerable situations to prevent formal safeguarding procedures.   We track data on the number of people supported, the types of problems they have. We have delivered training to people to help keep themselves safe through Self Advocacy skills. We have engaged people in research. We have continued to deliver specialist advocacy to people targeted for their characteristics and refuges and asylum seekers.

We have contributed to the annual plan by:

Learning and development

Delivered training to VCSE on:

• Role of advocacy in safeguarding
• Introduction to Safeguarding
• Adult Safeguarding Essentials
• Intro to children and young people safeguarding
• Hate Crime and Anti-social behaviour strategies for frontline workers
• SAFE research project

Prevention

• Advocacy to avoid Section 42 referrals from people in vulnerable situations to empower and support them.
• Stall to raise awareness of non-statutory advocacy offer in Safeguarding Adults Week in Gateshead
• Social media campaign for Safeguarding Adults week
• Direct support to victims of hate crime ( up to 120 per year)
• Attendance at Gateshead Hate Crime and Community Tension Group to share local intelligence and strategies to reduce impact of hate on community
• Attendance at joint Engagement Groups in summer 2024 following civil unrest and racial tensions

Involvement in Hate Crime awareness films by students at Sunderland University and Police and Crime Commissioner

• Hate Crime Advocacy | Connected Voice
• Development of HATE ID app with Northumbria and Durham universities as a result of long-term research on Hate Relationships:
• Researchers collaborate on new app to improve support for hate incident victims - Durham University
• Read the first research report, Exploring 'hate relationships' through Connected Voice's Hate Crime Advocacy Service
• Read the second research report, Improving responses to Hate Relationships or read a short summary of the report here.

Your Voice Counts

During 2024/2025 Your Voice Counts (YVC) provided independent advocacy services to over 900 people in Gateshead, supporting 938 referrals for IMCA, Care Act, RPR and NHS complaints advocacy. We've worked to make these services as accessible and welcoming as possible, helping people to understand and speak up for their rights and supporting effective Safeguarding Adults procedures.

Promoting advocacy and raising standards through training and awareness raising

We've continued to raise awareness of advocacy in very practical ways - through conversations, training, and support to professionals who need to make referrals. This includes 1:1 support and tailored briefings to help people feel confident about when and how to involve an advocate, particularly in safeguarding situations.

We've also spent time making sure our wider messages land well - through regular blogs and social media to support national and local campaigns and events including Safeguarding Adults Week, Hoarding Awareness Week and Advocacy Awareness Week.  We believe that raising awareness helps people speak up and knowing where to go for help is key to getting the right support early.

We've built up a library of plain-language tools and guides that are accessible to everyone, from carers and families to frontline professionals.  These cover a range of topics such as 'Understanding safeguarding' and 'How advocates support you in safeguarding meetings' as well as a new set of self-neglect resources which we developed to respond to local need and in partnership with wider safeguarding awareness work.

Our focus remains on helping people see advocacy not just as a service of last resort, but as something that can make a big difference early on - supporting people's rights, preventing harm, and making sure their voice is heard when it matters most.

Using data to drive action

We've built safeguarding into our everyday monitoring - not just tracking referrals but looking at patterns and trends. We now produce a quarterly safeguarding summary that helps us notice repeat concerns, and where needed, share this insight with the Safeguarding Adults Board or commissioners.

We've also built better ways to show how advocates are protecting the person's voice, including where we've raised concerns ourselves. This means our safeguarding data isn't just stored - it's used. It's become part of how we reflect on quality and make improvements in real time.

Working in Partnership and Strategic Engagement

We remain active members of the Safeguarding Adults Boards in Gateshead, Newcastle, and South Tyneside. Our team takes part in working groups and development sessions, feeding in what we learn from advocacy practice and hearing directly from people who use services.

We've also continued to contribute nationally through the Leaders in Advocacy group and other forums - sharing what we're learning locally and helping shape conversations about access to advocacy and good safeguarding practice.

We're proud to play a part in the wider safeguarding landscape. Our focus this year has been on embedding advocacy into everyday safeguarding work - so that people aren't just protected, but involved, empowered, and supported to make choices that work for them

Visit www.yvc.org.uk/advocacy for more information about Your Voice Counts or to make a referral.