A new Safeguarding Adult Board has launched in North Tyneside this week to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (9-15 May).
Designed to protect people’s rights to live safely and free from abuse and neglect, the board met for the first time this week to start a local borough-wide partnership to safeguard residents.
Hosted by North Tyneside Council, the partnership board is made up of representatives from 25 local organisations who aim to help protect adults with care and support needs from the risk of abuse, harm and neglect.
Represented organisations include Northumbria Police, the Care Quality Commission, Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust, Northumbria University and the voluntary sector.
Within North Tyneside the pandemic has seen a rise in safeguarding activity, with the most significant increases seen in cases of self-neglect. Jacqui Old, Director for Children and Adults Services at North Tyneside Council, commented that the board will provide stronger, more confident local leadership that is focused on frontline practice and working in different ways that improve outcomes for vulnerable people.
With the aim to ensure residents can enjoy a sustained quality of life and improved wellbeing, the board looks at the local issues and concerns to bring together services to allow vital support to be offered to those who need it.
Cllr Anthony McMullen, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Safeguarding has always been a top priority in North Tyneside and the launch of a North Tyneside-specific Safeguarding Adults Board is a great step towards addressing local issues and priorities.
“We know supporting people to address safeguarding issues cannot be achieved by one organisation, and by working with organisations in the community we can improving wellbeing for all residents in the borough and ensure they are protected and supported.”
The North Tyneside Safeguarding Adults Board replaced the North Tyneside and Northumberland Joint Safeguarding Adults Board and provides a focus on North Tyneside-specific issues and priorities.
If you are concerned about the wellbeing of someone in the borough, including struggles with self-care or their environment, you can submit a Worried Adult Form here.
More information about the Safeguarding Board can be found on the council’s website and residents can keep up to date with the board’s work on Twitter by following @NTynesideSAB
