Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Annual Report 2024/25

During 2024/25 the Gateshead Council Workforce Development Adviser worked with the GSAB and GCSP and the Community Safety Partnership to produce a comprehensive training offer for 2024/25. Training courses are free of charge to practitioners and volunteers within Gateshead. Training has been delivered virtually and face to face to allow delegates to choose the most convenient method of learning to suit their job role.

SAR Learning Register

In 2024/25, we committed to developing a Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) Learning Register to systematically capture and monitor learning from SARs and thematic reviews. The register is designed to:

• clearly record key learning recommendations and emerging themes
• track progress on implementing changes in practice
• identify areas where sustainable improvement has not yet been achieved

The register is updated following each SAR and incorporates feedback from partner agencies, including evidence of improvements or barriers to implementation. This approach ensures accountability and supports continuous learning across the safeguarding partnership

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) training

This year, a dedicated safeguarding training session was developed and delivered specifically for individuals working within Gateshead's VCSE sector. This face-to-face training session compliments the on-line and e-learning offer provided by Connected Voice.

The session addresses both adult and children's safeguarding, reflecting the sector's vital role in supporting vulnerable individuals across the borough. The training was designed to be interactive and inclusive, offering participants the opportunity to share experiences and gain practical insights into safeguarding practices. It emphasises the importance of recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns, and the critical role that trustees, employees, and volunteers play in protecting those at risk.

Key areas covered include:

• Understanding roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children and adults.
• Practical advice and guidance to support organisational safeguarding.
• Clear procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and making referrals.

Attendance was strongly encouraged for all those involved in the sector, particularly in light of the requirements for organisations to demonstrate robust safeguarding practices aligned with Charity Commission guidelines. This training supports best practice implementation and strengthens the safeguarding culture within Gateshead's voluntary and community organisations.

Toxic Closed Cultures training

In 2024/25 the GSAB supported a programme of training for practitioners and partner agencies to recognise organisational abuse within their own settings and establishments.  The Toxic Closed Cultures training was delivered by Value Based Consultancy who are an advisory and training organisation offering expertise specifically within the public sector.

This action was prompted by the Panorama TV programme aired in December 2023, which investigated a care home in Gateshead. While this did not explicitly focus on toxic closed cultures, it highlighted the importance of vigilance and robust assurance processes within the Board to identify, manage, and mitigate associated risks.

The GSAB commissioned 2 Level 1 sessions which were attended by 42 practitioners representing 13 organisations working across Gateshead. This session explored the definition of a toxic/closed culture, the relevance to adult social care and the link to vulnerability. The feedback from the session was very positive and the programme of training has continued into 2025.

The Board Chair and the Adults Executive Group also committed to ensuring that all board members developed a strong understanding of toxic and closed cultures, how they arise, how they present, and the signs and symptoms. This shared understanding will enable the partnership to identify any gaps in current processes and take appropriate steps to address them. 17 of the GSAB board members attend the Level 2 session in January 2025 to explore the features of a toxic culture and consider guidance in addressing cultural issues in the workplace. 

The GSAB commissioned 2 Level 1 sessions which were attended by 42 practitioner.  Following the session the LA Commissioning Team held a development session to present ideas and proposals around a provider dashboard which can be presented to the board on a quarterly basis.

E-learning

In April 2024, the GSCP funded a new online programme of training through ME Learning.  The GSAB were able to make use of this platform and host 11 courses relating to safeguarding adults, 2 specifically providing information on Gateshead policies and procedures. This was to ensure that as many people as possible have access to key safeguarding training and complements our wider offer available to our safeguarding partners. This training can be accessed  here.

There was a total of 209 course completions during 2024/25

E-learning evaluation and feedback:

• The course was engaging and interesting: 100% responded Strongly Agree or Agree

• Having completed this course, I now have improved knowledge about the subject: 100% responded Strongly Agree or Agree

• On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being no knowledge and 5 being expert knowledge), how would you rate your level of knowledge about the subject? 15 users answered 5; 30 users answered 4; 5 users answered 3.

Good content giving a good grounding in the subject"

It was valuable to be able to do this in my own time"

I thought the course was very good. Enjoyed doing it for my own interest"

Recruitment

During  2024/25 the GSAB and the GSCP were able to secure funding for a new Safeguarding Learning and Development Officer (L & D Officer).  Emily Thompson our new L & D Officer joined the Safeguarding Team in April 2025 and will be working closely with partners to ensure we have a robust multi-agency training offer to support and develop safeguarding practice across Gateshead.

Learning from SARs

Henry SAR

Following the completion of the Henry SAR  a multi-agency briefing was delivered to 22 practitioners during SG week 2024.  The GSAB Business Manager also delivered a briefing to Library and Leisure Services Managers based on the recommendations from the Henry SAR and also to give an overview of both Adults and Children's Safeguarding processes in Gateshead, the Private Sector Housing Manager also delivered as section on the work of their team and how they can support adults at risk and the safeguarding process.

Feedback received from the Libraries and Heritage Manager:

I wanted to pass on how useful the safeguarding training was (delivered October 24)  in terms of our managers understanding how to support very vulnerable residents. Since the training, library managers have been able to support at least three very vulnerable customers in requesting a care assessment and to get help in the home from private renters' team. We definitely did not understand the processes/structure of support across ASC/housing/renters prior to the training so I feel that's a big step forward

Session demonstrated that multi agency working is crucial

The session was set at a good pace and very informative, I have taken a lot from to days session

A 7-minute briefing was also produced which provides an overview of the case and learning and recommendations.  Some of the recommendations from the review have led to national changes with DWP, improving guidance and processes for handling Universal Credit (UC) phone claims and added new features to its systems to better manage these claims. 

Thomas SAR

The Thomas SAR was completed in 2024, and a total of 4 multi-agency briefings were held to share the learning, recommendations and next steps from the review with 106 practitioners.

We would 100% like to be able to attend more sessions and also possible training events, we thought the session provided was very informative and worth attending

We have changed the way in which we disseminate the learning from the training, after attending the session  we booked in staff meetings and gave examples and also reminded carers of the importance of learning from SARs and how important it is to document everything and raise concerns to registered managers should this arise

A 7-minute briefing was developed on the Thomas SAR which gave an overview of the background to the case, the key themes of the review, good practice and the recommendations.  Following the review work commenced to implement the Blue Light Approach in Gateshead, see slide 28 for further information.

Safeguarding Adult Week 2024

GSAB proudly supported National Safeguarding Week 2024, held from Monday 18th to Friday 22nd November. The overarching theme, "Working in Partnership," inspired a collaborative approach between the GSAB and the GSCP. Together, they used the week as a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of safeguarding across both adults and children, with all sessions reflecting this integrated focus.

Networking Event

The week started with a networking event held in the Civic Centre, welcoming over 80 people and over 24 organisations came along with stalls to promote their work, with some holding short briefing sessions. Steph Downey, Director of Adult Social Care opened the event.  Stalls included:

During the networking even there were presentations from:

• The Elective Home Education Officer - Raising the profile of the work and remit of the EHE Team
• The UK Hoarding Partnership
• Gateshead Recovery Partnership - Conversation starters
• We are Rise - Safeguarding and welfare in sport
• North Regional Association for Sensory Support
• Papyrus - SPARK - Suicide session

The week saw over 400 people attend 18 briefings and training sessions covering a variety of subjects from suicide prevention; mate crime; exploitation; and support for teenage fathers. Attendees were asked to complete feedback forms rating each session (1 being poor and not relevant to role and 10 being excellent and being very relevant to role)'. The average for all sessions was a score of 8.9.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Tyne Bridge were lit purple as a powerful reminder that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Watch the drone footage of the bridges lit in purple.

Safeguarding Week evaluation

Domestic Abuse Practice Short

I really enjoyed the training and the trainer was excellent

Financial Planning, LPAs

Trainer was very knowledgeable, friendly and able to offer questions! great session thanks

Recognising Exploitation

This was a strong and informative session with good delivery

Papyrus, Suicide Prevention Training

The instructor was really informative and easy to understand

This was a good course providing a high-level overview

Mate Crime, The Lawnmowers

One of the best training sessions I've ever attended. Super engaging role play with people with lived experience

It was a really good session; I took a lot away from it

I would like to say thank you to everyone involved, I'm not usually comfortable with role play situations, however the way your session was delivered was excellent and very effective"

Professional Curiosity

The course was very good. The trainer shared a lot of useful information on approaches to apply in my role