Appreciative Inquiry
Comment from the Gateshead SAB Independent Chair, Nicola Bailey
Those involved in the inquiry agreed that learning from Sam's life could have the greatest impact for women facing multiple, complex unmet needs, compelling us to rethink how systems respond and offering renewed hope that preventable outcomes can be avoided.
As Independent Chair of the Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board, I commend the letter provided on behalf of Sam. It is very poignant and highlights how the experiences in Sam's life had a devastating impact not just on her, but on her children and close family. The report and recommendations give a very clear direction and framework for all the organisations involved from which to learn, so that we can ensure we respond in a well‑coordinated, sensitive, and supportive manner if a similar situation were to present itself again.
Sam's life was precious; she was loved, and she needed understanding and complex support that worked in a way that made sense for her as an individual. As a safeguarding system, we have accepted the report and recommendations in full and will ensure that Sam's death will not be forgotten, but will act as a catalyst for positive change.
The hope is that this learning will compel us to consider what we can do differently to prevent women like Sam from experiencing the same preventable outcomes. An Appreciative Inquiry is a strengths-based and collaborative approach that enables in-depth reflection on what is currently happening and what the future could look like.
Appreciative Inquiry into the life of Sam - Gateshead Safeguarding Adult Board
An Appreciative Inquiry was commissioned and undertaken by the Gateshead Safeguarding Adult Board (SAB) in collaboration with the Gateshead Drug and Alcohol Strategic Group, the Gateshead Domestic Abuse Partnership, and the Gateshead Safeguarding Children's Partnership. This followed recognition by SAB partners that learning from Sam's life could have far‑reaching impact.
The Appreciative Inquiry into Sam's life had the following aims:
- to understand the current system of support for women living through physical and emotional trauma, through the lens of Sam's life, drawing from the experiences of her family and those who knew her
- to identify what is working well, areas that need to be strengthened and build an understanding of some of the barriers to system-wide change
Learnings from Sam's life highlighted the following key areas for review:
- how we commission and organise services, informed by an understanding of the impacts of trauma
- the availability of appropriate early intervention and support for mothers during and after care proceedings
- the need to think more creatively, and to listen to those with lived experience, to improve outcomes and prevent women dying prematurely
While SAB partners have made several recommendations as part of this review, the most important call for action is for a fundamental rethink of how support is provided to women and their children.
Sam Appreciative Inquiry Report (PDF, 2 MB)
Sam Appreciative Inquiry Accompanying Briefing (PDF, 1 MB)
