A special ‘safeguarding awareness’ week is being run for staff at Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust from November 8-12.

The Trust will run a series of workshops to highlight safeguarding issues at a local level. This is in response to high-profile cases such as the death of Baby Peter in London in 2007, and the increasing focus on health as a crucial player in safeguarding vulnerable adults.

Saranna Burgess, who was recently appointed as the Trust’s lead for safeguarding adults and children, said: “Nationally, there’s a much higher focus on safeguarding issues nowadays, abuse is more clearly recognised, and there are laws and processes to protect people.”

The Trust’s vulnerable client groups are likely to have experienced abuse, exploitation and neglect. Saranna’s role is to help frontline workers such as nurses and social workers tackle these issues.

“For example, if a service user is suffering domestic abuse it’s about putting a safeguarding plan around that user; or if staff are working with a parent whose children may be at risk as a result of the service user’s mental health or substance misuse, it may be necessary to develop a safety or care plan to act in that particular child’s best interests,” she said.

The awareness week will enable staff to attend workshops covering subjects such as domestic violence, elderly neglect and parental substance misuse. Speakers will include representatives of primary care trusts, Norfolk County Council, NHS Community Services, Norfolk Police, and of the Trust.

It is hoped that the workshops will lead to increased confidence in decision-making, and improve the experiences of service users and their families. “This is all connected to a multi-agency approach – working with our colleagues, staying informed, and devising joint care plans or safety plans,” said Saranna.