“Keeping vulnerable people safe is at the forefront of what we do. It is something that is everybody’s business.

“Feeling safe and being safe is about being free from physical, psychological, financial, sexual and discriminatory abuse, and from neglect. This has to be our number one commitment – our work is in supporting, treating and caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable.

The Trust has appointed three new practitioners to act as safeguarding champions. They will ensure that staff, service users and carers feel informed and supported through every aspect of safeguarding.

The work is part of an initiative called Radical Pathway Redesign, which is the Trust’s response to the nationwide call to reduce costs. The initiative aims to redevelop services with safeguarding at its core to provide a better experience for our patients.

Maggie added: 

“People who use our services need to feel confident that we will do our utmost to treat them with respect and dignity, and keep them safe from harm. This is especially important at times when they are not able or well enough to speak up for themselves. Observing and reporting on safeguarding is a responsibility we all have to take seriously.

Speakers at the event include safeguarding lead Saranna Burgess, consultant psychiatrists Dr Catherine Thomas and Dr Rob Davey, clnical psychiatrist Dr Ian Newey, Norfolk Constabulary’s Amanda Murr and learning disabilities inpatient manager Kae Donnellan.

Topics covered will include domestic abuse, sexual trauma, honour based violence, the challenges of safeguarding teenagers and the effects on infant attachment.