Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Annual Report 2024/25

Quality, Learning and Practice (QLP) Group

(Chaired by a senior manager from Gateshead Council)

The Quality, Learning and Practice Group is responsible for:

• Monitoring and reviewing performance data and driving forward quality via the quality assurance framework, case file audits and monitoring inspection recommendations.

• Collating and reviewing recommendations from statutory Safeguarding Adult Reviews and discretionary reviews and has oversight of multi-agency safeguarding training. 

• Ensures that the Multi Agency Safeguarding Adults policy and procedures and supporting practice guidance continue to be fit for purpose. 

• Keeping up to date with national policy changes that may impact upon the work of the GSAB. 

• The development and implementation of the Communication and Engagement strategy.

QLP Data Working Group

(Chaired by a senior manager from Gateshead Council Performance and Systems Service)

In 2024/ 25 the QLP established a Data Working Group. The group is responsible for:

• Reviewing and analysing the GSAB data dashboard information on a quarterly basis
• Reporting findings to the QLP group on a quarterly basis.
• Making recommendations for action following data analysis including but not limited to audits, reviews and changes to reporting processes/ procedures.

Safeguarding Adult Review and Complex Case (SARCC) group

(Chaired by a senior manager from Northeast and North Cumbria ICB)

The Safeguarding Adults Review Group (SARCC) will:

• Consider Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) referrals, commission reviews and subsequently monitor their progress.

• Oversee discretionary reviews into cases that do not meet the criteria for a SAR, where the group feel that there are multi-agency lessons to be learned.

• Collate and review recommendations from SARs and other reviews, ensuring that achievable action plans are developed and that actions are delivered. 

• Provides a forum to discuss complex Safeguarding Adult cases that require additional scrutiny and support.

Joint Strategic Exploitation Group (JSEG)

(Chaired by a senior officer from Northumbria Police)

• The Joint Strategic Exploitation Group is a sub-group of both the GSAB and the GSCP.
• The Police chair undertakes this role across the Northumbria Police Force footprint (6 LA areas) which promotes sharing of learning and best practice and connectivity across the region in identifying emerging trends or concerns.
• The remit of the group is to lead on the development of strategic work in relation to all aspects of exploitation, including but not limited to: Sexual Exploitation; Criminal Exploitation; Modern Slavery and Trafficking and Missing. ​

Task and Finish Groups

The GSAB, the Executive Group, and the three sub-groups regularly commission Task and Finish Groups; temporary, time-limited working groups established to examine a specific issue in depth and make recommendations, to undertake defined pieces of project work. Governance, oversight, and monitoring remain with the group that created the Task and Finish Group.

Subgroups Highlight Reports

In board receives a highlight report form each of its 3 subgroups which is presented at each board meeting. The report covers 4 main areas:

• What is working well?
• What is not working well?
• What difference are we making?
• Potential risks

This allows each subgroup to raise the profile of its work and share good practice and outcomes, whilst also highlighting any potential risks to the board so that remedial action can be taken, by the board or by its partners.

GSAB Executive Group

During the 2024/25 reporting period, a significant structural change was implemented regarding the operation of the Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board (GSAB) Executive Group. Previously functioning as a joint executive body with the Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership (GSCP), it was formally agreed that the GSAB Executive Group would now operate independently. This decision was made to strengthen the strategic focus and governance specific to adult safeguarding. As part of this transition, the Executive Group established a new bi-monthly meeting schedule to ensure consistent oversight and timely decision-making. In conjunction with this change, the Terms of Reference (ToR) were comprehensively reviewed and updated. These revisions were made to ensure full alignment with the statutory governance requirements and responsibilities of the Safeguarding Adults Board, thereby enhancing accountability, clarity of roles, and operational effectiveness.

Governance and Assurance

To support robust governance and provide assurance regarding partner engagement, the GSAB systematically monitors member attendance. This data is captured and regularly reported through the GSAB performance dashboard, enabling transparent oversight of organisational commitment and participation.

The Independent Chair of the GSAB plays a key role in maintaining accountability by reviewing attendance patterns and addressing any concerns directly with partner agencies. Where attendance is inconsistent or where representatives do not hold appropriate levels of authority or expertise, the Chair issues formal challenges to ensure that each organisation is fulfilling its statutory responsibilities and contributing effectively to the Board's strategic objectives. This approach reinforces the importance of consistent, senior-level engagement in safeguarding adults and ensures that the GSAB remains a credible and effective multi-agency partnership.