A Safeguarding Adult Reviews is…
a process of looking at the circumstances around the death or serious harm of an adult that has happened due to suspected or known abuse or neglect and it appears that agencies could have done more to prevent it.
Anyone can request a Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR).
Under the Care Act 2014, only Safeguarding Adult Boards (SAB) can carry out a SAR.
The Act specifies at section 44 that a SAR must be conducted in circumstances where the TSAB has concerns about how members of TSAB or other agencies with relevant functions, have worked together to protect an adult in Thurrock, with care and support needs, who:
- has died as a result of suspected abuse or neglect, or
- is still alive, but has experienced serious abuse or neglect, and would have died if it were not for intervention, or has suffered permanent harm.
The SAR aims to learn lessons from an incident that will prevent deaths and serious abuse or neglect happening in the future. SARs are also used to explore examples of best practice in the way the case was managed, for example how agencies worked together to prevent and reduce abuse and neglect.
For more information about SARs, read the Thurrock Safeguarding Adults Board SAR Policy or contact the TSAB Manager on TSAB@thurrock.gov.uk or call 01375 659713.
This diagram shows what happens when someone requests a SAR. Within four weeks, the request will be considered and a decision will be made on whether a SAR is needed. Whatever the outcome of the decision, the Board will keep everyone informed with the latest developments.
To request a SAR complete the form SAR1 and email to TSAB@thurrock.gov.uk
Other types of reviews
There may be times when the SAB does not feel that a case meets the requirements for a SAR. When this happens the SAB may decide to hold a different type of review to explore whether:
- there is good practice that would improve multi-agency working;
- there are concerns that the policy or practice of one or more agencies may have hindered other agencies’ ability to protect the adult, such as information sharing or resources;
- there is concern that an emerging theme may lead to serious harm or death of an adult in Thurrock if not tackled, such as under reporting of particular types of abuse or lack of advocacy.
