Safeguarding is defined in the Care and Support statutory guidance, chapter 14 as “protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect” and is about preventing and responding to the concerns of abuse, harm or neglect of adults. Social care practitioners should aim to work in partnership with the adult when responding to safeguarding concerns, reduce the risk of harm, abuse and neglect and where possible promote an approach that focuses on improving the life of the adult concerned.

Social workers, social care practitioners and other officers should insure that the following principles underpin adult safeguarding work:

• Empowerment
• Prevention
• Proportionate
• Protection
• Partnership
• Accountable

There is more detailed information about the six principles in our Making Safeguarding Personal section.

Camden follows the London Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and practitioners should ensure they are familiar with this document to inform their practice, as well as the Care Act 2014 and accompanying Care and Support Statutory guidance.

Further information and guidance on specific areas of practice, such as modern slavery, cuckooing, domestic abuse and self-neglect, can be found in dedicated sections of the Safeguarding area of this Practice Guide.

For individuals known to Camden & Islington (NHS Foundation Trust), agreement under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 means appropriately trained managers within the Trust act on behalf of the Local Authority to undertake adult safeguarding duties for adults known to their services.