Making Safeguarding Personal - audio visual resources

Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board

This introduction to safeguarding describes what abuse is and tells people about the importance of reporting abuse. It details types of abuse and who might be affected by abuse and neglect. It links with the Safeguarding Adults Board and encourages the audience to learn more by visiting the website.

Reviewers' comments: The indication of diversity was positively received and users said they were able to identify with the male lead. There was good reference to professionals in the health sector. Some users found it difficult to follow but all thought that the key messages of stop being abused and keep safe came through. An understanding of what a Safeguarding Adults Board is, was not always known by people and an initial explanation might help some. The group felt it understood that abuse was a crime and that it could contact the police. It also felt there was a good explanation of the different types of abuse and how to report them. One user group thought the film was not so in tune with older people and issues about nursing or residential care settings. But people with a learning disability found that it held their attention and that it was a good resource for everyone – "See it and report it that was clear."

One carer summed up: "I found this film to be very informative and the safeguarding awareness issue was clear and to the point. I think it would be a useful resource to both professionals and service users/carers. The duration was perfect."

For more information, contact [email protected]

Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board (running time 6 to 12 mins)

Access to a series of films exploring different aspects of safeguarding, including child and adult safeguarding and domestic abuse. These are based on the experiences of professionals working in the field, and from interviews with victims of abuse. The films are scripted and use actors in a realistic context. Each is supported by simple guidance to support wider training or awareness activity.

The films for adult safeguarding include Making Safeguarding Personal: scams, mass marketing scams and online abuse. Each can be viewed separately as a series of learning events. They are not intended to be viewed in one sitting and would facilitate group discussion.

Reviewers' comments: The films are well set out with each story separated under titles for different types of abuse. They were felt to be a really useful resource for both members of the public and professionals.

Cheshire Centre for Independent Living (running time 3 mins 39 secs)

This film focuses on giving people a voice rather than an explicit account of what abuse is. It consists of a people saying how people treat them as they are seen differently as targets of abuse, rather than society acknowledging difference and accepting it. It was produced by the service user sub-group.

Reviewers' comments: The film might prove challenging for some people as it was difficult to hear the messages due to a number of people talking at the same time. Some people were upset by the shouting in the scenarios, "I didn't like the shouting". The focus groups felt that it gave users a voice to speak up about abuse and that they don't have to put up with it. One person described it as the best for getting the message across about being different, "We're all different but we all want the same kind of things" and that difference should not validate abuse. People liked the wishes and aspirations and the positive feel of the resource. Some were upset by the fact that people might be hurt but understood that it might help others to speak up against abuse. One group suggested it would be a good resource to use with "the bullies."

For more information, email [email protected]

Capturing the voices of service users, carers and staff

The Merseyside Safeguarding Adults Board ‘Voices’ project was designed to capture the safeguarding experiences of both front line staff (broadly defined), users of services and their carers. In addition, we organised an engagement event to showcase a selection of voices on 25 June 2019. In order to drive the form and content of this ‘Safeguarding Voices’ event, a series of repeat discussions/interviews were held with a number of individuals and small/large groups in order to capture the ‘voices’ of a wide range of stakeholders. The information gathered during these conversations was then used to create a series of 4-500 word ‘scripts’ which were refined and amended until participants were satisfied with the representation and accuracy of their indicative ‘voice’. Because of the success of both the project and the event, we decided to record eight of the voices and ensure wide accessibility to the film for training, development and/or general interest purposes.

Contact: [email protected]

Toynbee Hall (running time 21 mins)

'Cycles' is a film made for use as a safeguarding tool. It uses professional actors and a script based on real stories emerging from a writers' course at a mental health arts café. It is about a man who is building his self-esteem. It shows familial abuse by a sibling who takes over his flat and steals his money. Their relationship changes until he speaks out and confides to his friend and mentor. It details how people with mental illness can be taken advantage of. It is a good basis for talking with professionals and people with mental health support needs, to see the benefits of protecting themselves and speaking up.

Reviewers' comments: "This film was really good. It was informative and gave a very helpful insight into the everyday life of someone who is recovering from a Mental Health problem. It would be a good training tool for professionals and members of the public to give them a greater understanding into the condition."

Sandwell (running time 3 mins 21 secs)

This animated film addresses safeguarding in the widest sense, taking account of children and adult safeguarding. It looks at the think family safeguarding approach especially in domestic abuse situations.

Reviewers' comments: The focus group liked the way the film makes people think about action and inaction and invites people to think about "what would you do?" It was described as powerful and thought provoking and seen as truthful. All service users, older people, people with a physical or learning disability liked the way that the story is told through animation. People thought that the doing nothing option could be explored further to make it clear that this was not an option and that people were not acting like a "grass". The message about acting and reporting came across well. The focus group did not feel the film was aimed at anyone in particular, but might be helpful for discussion about domestic violence and people who had been subject to domestic violence

The trained volunteers gave a very positive recommendation for this film. "We loved this film, it was by far the best one we watched. It was short, and straight to the point. The duration was perfect and the key message "See something, do something" really brought home to us the consequences of not reporting something which maybe a safeguarding issue. The message is something which will stay in our minds when we conduct our 'normal', everyday lives. We felt this was for everyone to watch."

For more information, contact: [email protected]

Birmingham (running time 13 mins 34 secs)

This film is suitable for professionals and non-professionals alike. For people who hoard it raises awareness to show that there is help. For professionals it tackles an issue that is not included in the Care Act 2014 as a category of abuse, but one closely linked to neglect which is covered in the Act. It is a useful resource for professionals to learn about the impact of hoarding on people. Environmental health officers, health and social care staff may find it of interest.

Reviewers' comments: The group felt that the film tells the whole story and is very informative – "hitting all the right spots for the topic." People found that it was quite long but warranted by the complex nature of the topic. It showed positive and negative impacts on hoarders seeking support and gave an excellent insight into hoarding from the point of view of the hoarder. The focus group liked the fact that the lead was taken by a hoarder who had sought help and had a positive outcome from the work carried out by professionals. The film is multi-agency and would be helpful for multi-agency training across partnerships. "We felt it was a touching story and a good example to show people suffering from this condition that people understand hoarding and there is 'light at the end of the tunnel'."

For more information, email: [email protected]

Gloucestershire Positive Risk Taking Group (running time 17 mins 44 secs)

This film records the play "Risking Happiness" uses puppets rather than real people (Avenue Q style). The professionals are actors who talk at and over the puppet who represents an older person with implied memory difficulties. The daughter bombards him with post it notes whilst the professionals use patronising language and/or jargon ignoring the adult as a person. The film is more about dignity and respect than safeguarding. But often these are a starting point to prevent deterioration into neglect and abuse, so it is a good place to start. The message is essential for professionals. It is also important for family members and members of the public. We should not write people off or make assumptions.

There is a clear 'separation' between the 'professionals'/services and the individual, with everything expressed in negative terms: 'risk', 'fall'. Nothing is focused on what he can do or what he likes to do, until nearer the end of the film when one of the medical professionals takes the time to talk and listen to him: "I can make an apple crumble", "I like sitting in the park", I want to be useful". He visibly grows larger as he is supported to do what he can do and what he likes to do. It is a particularly helpful resource for health staff.

Reviewers' comments: "This is a really creative and positive way to get the message across, and it lets you use different expressions on the puppets to represent different things. I loved the imagery of the man getting smaller when he was not at the centre. They used a small puppet. Then later when they started listening to him he grew larger again. This could have been very powerful."

"We thought that some of the good messages got overshadowed, because they tried to make it funny. I didn't think it helped."

Reviewers felt there may be some confusion for the audience with the use of post it notes. "I felt in a number of places they were demonstrating how not to behave rather than tackling directly abusive behaviour."

The play was commissioned from Reckless Kettle comp by the CCG and Gloucester County Council.

Healthwatch: Isle of Wight

This DVD was put together by people with a learning disability and Healthwatch Isle of Wight. There is reference in the DVD to the importance of working alongside people in the right way, so as to ‘give strength’ and empower them. There is emphasis on the importance of establishing self-esteem and social skills, and to support people in addressing social isolation whilst also having an understanding of the need to establish positive relationships. The need for everyone to work in partnership is also underlined.

Camden People First (running time 9 mins)

People with learning disabilities would particularly benefit from this film. It should trigger discussion about recognising when people are real best friends and when they are pretending and may take advantage of you. It comprises of two stories:

Story One – Nicole and Sanjay are "best friends". She keeps borrowing money from him, being very friendly and "nice" to him, saying they're best friends etc. She owes him £200 then a further £50 and £20. In this film she goes for a coffee with him. And he pays. She's very grateful. Then she asks for another £20, and this time he refuses. She flounces off and says she hates him and will post nasty things about him on Facebook. He reports it to the Housing department as mate crime.

Story Two – First scenario: a man with his book sitting on a bench reading when another man came up and called him names and snatched his book from him. He didn't challenge. He walked away and then reported it to the police as a hate crime. Second scenario: same situation as above, except this time the man with the book resisted the bully taking his book. He held on to his book, and then shouted names at the other man. The voice-over advice is that it is better not to challenge but to walk away and report it.

Reviewers' comments: "The film was made by people with learning disabilities as part of the People First group. People with learning disabilities played all the parts. This is great for other people with learning disabilities. It demonstrates typical situations that many disabled people find themselves in. It was also good to show clearly what to do in each situation. In the first scenario, the film included Sanjay's communication with the housing department. In the second, it showed the gentleman who had been bullied reporting the incident to the police."

The reviewers felt that this resource may not suit a general audience.

Warwickshire (running time 6 mins 25 secs)

This film was made by Wacky Forum, an advocacy group for young people (aged 14-19) with learning disabilities in Warwickshire. It comprises three stories acted by young learning disabled people about Mate Crime. It gives a clear message about not doing something that you do not want to do, financial abuse, and talk about manipulating feelings. Other mate crime resources are accessible from this link providing a helpful resource for young people as part of transition work.

Birmingham (running time 6 mins 55 secs)

Crowds gathered at Birmingham's New Street Station as West Midlands Police launched its new forced marriage campaign with two flash mob performances. The film features a dance routine performed by the police and professional performers and ends with the West Midlands police contact details for reporting forced marriage as a crime.

Using the Mental Capacity Act in the community

This short film has been contributed by Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust. It illustrates the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) in practice for healthcare professionals and is also applicable to social care including carers across the UK. Whilst not specific to safeguarding and Making Safeguarding Personal it does clearly demonstrate the importance of using and recording the principles of the MCA and in particular the need for supported decision making and how to put these into practice.

These principles are essential to being effective in making safeguarding personal.

The film helps underline the important message that MSP is not simply 'going along with' individuals' choices but it is about supporting and informing those choices and sometimes needing to make decisions on people's behalf (in their best interests). It stresses the importance of knowing the relevant law and using professional judgement in upholding wellbeing alongside safety. It demonstrates robust recording of conversations and decisions.

Being clear about capacity when addressing everyday practice issues can prevent safeguarding concerns arising.

Alan’s Story 3 minutes 50 seconds

Alan’s Story features Jamie, a Social worker, describing his work with Alan, a man with dementia who is shocked to find he has been a victim of financial abuse at the hands of his son. Working together, the Social Worker supports Alan to find out what has happened and hears what Alan wants done about it. When Jamie establishes that Alan is not able to make decisions about how to manage money himself, he ensures Alan is supported to be part of a Best Interests meeting to decide how to put his wishes into action, so he gets what he wants: to know his money is safe but not to get his son into trouble.

Key themes : Making Safeguarding Personal – Co-production - Risk Enablement – Application of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act – Financial abuse – Six Key Principles of Safeguarding Adults