Wigan Safeguarding Adults Board have today published the Independent Safeguarding Adult Review regarding Una as set out within Section 44 of the Care Act 2014. 

The case review highlights the need for key learning and effective improvements to be undertaken by agencies supporting people who have been sexually exploited and abused by those in a position of trust. It underlines the need for all agencies undertaking safeguarding enquiries to be consistently using the most effective and appropriate legal processes to address that abuse. The review shines a light on the need for agencies to foster a safeguarding culture that is victim centred and that demonstrates a culture- of openness and transparency.

Dr. Suzanne Smith the Independent Chair of WSAB further noted that “in addition to the key recommendations around improving our basic collective response to effectively and practically managing and addressing abuse by professionals, the report highlights the need to move beyond simply ensuring safeguarding policy and processes are in place and addresses the challenge of improving organisations culture of safeguarding”.

“A culture that that moves it’s focus upstream in a preventative way, focusing on a value-based approach to not only the life course of an individual’s employment journey but good organisational responses to safeguarding incidents and behaviour, is crucial to have in place and working.  To that end we are committed to embedding evidence-based models such as the PRISIM model that challenges organisations to think about how it does this through developing a safeguarding mindset which informs what to do and how to support victims when things do happen.”

“On behalf of the board I would like to apologise to Una and her family for the trauma she experienced. 

“It is clear there were failings in Una’s care and important lessons learned which the board has used to develop an action plan. We are committed to implementing this plan which addresses the key findings contained within the report.  

“I would like to thank those involved in the review, particularly Una herself, who has been able to use her experience to highlight significant issues in the hope that this doesn’t happen again.”

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