Gathering and Sharing Information

The Concern

Areas for consideration:

The identity and relevant details of the person who is the subject of the enquiries.

The evidence on which the ‘reasonable cause to suspect’ was founded.

A record of any abuse that the person may be experiencing together with any supporting evidence:

• the nature of the abuse
• the length of time the person has been subjected to abuse
• the wishes and feelings of the adult at risk
• the frequency and intensity of the abuse
• the alleged abuser and the relationship, if any, to the adult at risk.

The impact of the abuse on the adult at risk.

Other matters that those making the enquiries consider necessary in order to establish whether care and support protection needs are being met.

INFORMATION GATHERING

Person-centred Outcomes

Areas for consideration:

• how the adult at risk perceives the abuse and/or neglect
• what they want to happen
• the personal outcomes they want to achieve
• any strategies that they can suggest that will keep them safe from abuse and neglect.

INFORMATION GATHERING

The Context

Areas for consideration:

• the presence of any other person in the household who may be an adult at risk or a child
• whether the alleged abuser provides care and support for the adult at risk or for a child or any other known adult at risk. If so, the nature and intensity of such care
• the nature of any support and assistance the adult at risk may be receiving from a carer or relative other than the alleged abuser.

Sharing information with social services

Any information provided for enquiries in cases of an adult at risk should be:

1. Necessary and proportionate

Means taking account of the nature of the request and the purpose for which the information will be used.

For example, information about the adult at risk’s current behaviour that indicates or refutes abuse and/or neglect.

1. Relevant

Means providing information appropriate for the specific request.

For example, social services need to know about past concerns an agency may have had about the abuse or neglect of an adult at risk.

1. Adequate

Means information is enough to ensure it can be understood and relied upon.

For example, specific information about the behaviour that indicates or refutes concerns about abuse and/or neglect, such as they begin shaking when a particular carer enters the room.

1. Accurate

Means it is based on fact not assumptions.

For example, being specific what has been observed, by whom, such as the adult at risk’s response has been observed whenever they are in the presence of a particular carer with details of staff who have observed the behaviour.

Accuracy also means differentiating fact from opinion.

1. Secure

Means information is restricted to those with a legitimate need to know and is shared securely.

For example, check that any information provided will be securely stored.

1. Timely

Means it is restricted to what is required for a particular situation at a particular time.

For example, if the information is required urgently to provide immediate protection it may not be possible to seek the consent of the adult at risk before sharing information.

1. Recorded

Means recording in writing what has been shared and why.

For example, be clear what information has been shared, with whom and for what purpose in line with agency recording procedures.

Some frontline staff and managers can be over-cautious about sharing personal information, particularly if it is against the wishes of the individual concerned. They may also be mistaken about needing hard evidence to share information.

In certain circumstances practitioners can over-ride the duty of confidentiality to patients or service users. These circumstances are:

• To protect the adult at risk from abuse or neglect or the risk of abuse or neglect.
• The public’s best interest, for example, an alleged abuser may pose risks to wider members also.

It is important that staff consider the risks of not sharing safeguarding information when making decisions.

If there is continued reluctance from one partner to share information on a safeguarding concern, then the matter should be referred to the Regional Safeguarding Board (RSB). The RSB should discuss the issue, including the organisation’s stated reasons for not sharing the information. The RSB will then advise what course of action to take.