Lambeth launches Inter-Agency Adult Protection Strategy

A strategy aimed at tackling the widespread and neglected national problem of abuse of vulnerable adults has been launched at a very successful conference in Lambeth Town Hall.

The strategy was developed by the Lambeth Inter-Agency Adult Protection Committee, a partnership between Lambeth Social Services and a wide range of organisations.

These organisations are Lambeth NHS Primary Care Trust, Metropolitan Police, King’s College Hospital NHS Trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, Age Concern Lambeth and the Lambeth Health and Social Care Voluntary and Community Sector Forum.

The launch was attended by around a hundred people from across the partnership. The strategy was endorsed by all the partners as the way forward in tackling adult abuse in the borough.

Opening the conference, the Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Daphne Marchant, stressed the importance of the strategy in addressing and preventing the issue of abuse of adults in care settings and in their own homes.

Daniel Blake from Action on Elder Abuse outlined the national context of the problem. The strategy was introduced by Lambeth Council Adult Protection Co-Ordinator Clive Simmons.

He spelled out key components of the strategy. These cover an updated inter-agency adult protection procedure, inter-agency adult protection training, improved recording of adult protection referrals and outcomes, monitoring and direct client work and a poster and leaflet campaign to raise public awareness in Lambeth.

The commitment of partner agencies to the strategy was highlighted by speakers representing these agencies. These included Duncan Paterson from the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Aisling Duffy of Southside Partnership and Detective Inspector Charlie Hodge from Lambeth Police Community Safety Unit.

The Lambeth Primary Care Trust speaker was Angela Dawe and George Marshman spoke on behalf of Lambeth Adults and Community Services.