Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about working together to support people to make decisions about the risks they face in their own lives, and protecting those who lack the capacity to make these decisions. We all share responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults.
The definition of well-being is wide and can encompass looking out for someone's personal dignity, physical health, mental health and emotional well-being, amongst other things. In addition to this, under this section a local authority must have regard to the views, wishes, feelings and beliefs of an individual. It must also have regard to avoiding the development of the need for care and support of that particular individual. With regard to the principle of well-being, all aspects of a person's well-being should be given equal importance.
There’s a strong link between safeguarding and mental and physical wellbeing. In short, if someone’s wellbeing is suffering, they may consider certain actions that put them at risk. If a person is experiencing a form of abuse that is not noticed and tackled (and we all have a responsibility to do so, both as employees of the council, and members of the public) they may come to serious harm.
"Wellbeing” is a broad concept, and it can relate to the following areas in particular:
- Personal dignity (including treatment of the individual with respect);
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing;
- Protection from abuse and neglect;
- Control by the individual over day-to-day life (including over care and support provided and the way it is provided);
- Participation in work, education, training or recreation;
- Social and economic wellbeing;
- Domestic, family and personal relationships;
- Suitability of living accommodation;
- The individual’s contribution to society.
Essential steps for developing Making Safeguarding Personal resonate with themes that are core to developing Wellbeing. These include making Safeguarding ‘Everyone’s Business’ and a holistic focus on health, safety and wellbeing.