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Spotlight on Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SAR's)

Published: Wednesday, 6 April 2022

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A Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) is a statutory duty of the Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership (TWSP). Under Section 44 of the Care Act 2014, a SAR must be undertaken when:

  • an adult or adults with care and support needs die as a result of abuse or neglect and there is a concern that partnership agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult(s); or

  • an adult or adults with care and support needs has not died, but the TWSP knows or suspects that the adult has experienced serious abuse or neglect with a concern that partnership agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult.

SARs are not enquiries into how an adult died and who is responsible. That is a matter for the Coroner or criminal courts.

Who can refer a case for a SAR, and how?

Anyone can refer a case for a SAR, where is fits the above criteria. Referrals must be made via Family Connect

What is the purpose of a SAR?

The purpose of a SAR is to:

  • learn from cases where agencies could have worked together more effectively

  • consider whether serious harm could or could not have been predicted or prevented, and develop learning that enables the partnership to improve its services, and prevent abuse and neglect in the future

  • identify any issues in multi or single agency policies and procedures

  • agree on how the learning will be acted on, and what is expected to change and

  • publish a summary report, which is available to the public.

SARs help to improve services, multi-agency working, share best practice and lessons learnt, and to better safeguard adults from risk of abuse and neglect.

What happens when I refer a case for a SAR?

  • Information will be requested from agencies known to be or have been involved in the case, as part of the initial scoping exercise.

  • The SAR Review Panel will meet to discuss the referral, and consider whether the case meets the SAR criteria.

  • The SAR Review Panel will make a recommendation to the TWSP Safeguarding Adults Board.

  • Where the criteria is met, the individual or organisation that requested the SAR will be notified and engage in the proceedings of the review. Families will also be invited to contribute to the review.

  • If the criteria is not met, the individual or organisation will be notified, and the SAR Review Panel will ensure that any learning from the scoping exercise is retained by TWSP for future reference.

Further information and Resources