A number of high profile Serious Case Reviews highlighted by the national media involving child neglect, and cases involving vulnerable elderly adults and adults with mental health problems, became a key motivator for housing staff at Lewisham Council to look at what could be done to help protect vulnerable people living in the borough.
The Housing Safeguarding Agreement was developed by Lewisham Council following a successful application to the Tenants Services Authority (TSA) for funding, under its Local Standard Pilot Programme, to develop a local standard for vulnerable tenants.
A huge number of people are involved in visits to households on a daily basis, from housing officers to repairs contractors. Many come into contact with vulnerable people during the course of their day-to-day duties living in households in unsanitary conditions; households whose health, safety and well-being are at risk. Housing staff at Lewisham Council agreed that there was a need for workers who visited peoples’ homes to be able to identify signs of neglect and risk, and, importantly, to know to which organisation to highlight their concerns.
Speaking at the official launch, Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, said: “We are very pleased that our housing partners have worked with us to develop this very important agreement. Housing providers have a social and moral responsibility towards their residents and must ensure that the most vulnerable have a voice. It is incumbent upon all of us to deliver services, and establish standards that protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
Lewisham used the £9,000 it received from the TSA to work with the main housing providers in the borough, as well as its own Adult Social Care and Children’s Social Care services, to identify training needs and to develop a recognised reporting system that each will use.
The agreement is believed to be the first formalised local authority and housing provider protocol in place in London, outlining duties towards safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Council now hopes to engage with other local authorities, to share the Agreement as an example of good practice.
Marion Saunders, Chair of Lewisham’s Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children’s Boards, said: “This agreement is a valuable tool that will enable staff and contractors to become aware of the environment around them, to be able to spot key signs that indicate that all may not be well. We all have a duty to care for our fellow mankind; by the nature of peoples’ vulnerability, they may not have the opportunity or freedom to speak out. If this agreement helps only one person to be safe from harm and avoid a tragedy, then it will have been successful.”
The nine key housing providers in Lewisham who have signed up to the agreement are: Lewisham Homes; Regenter B3; Affinity Sutton; Amicus Horizon; Family Mosaic; Hyde; Hexagon; London and Quadrant (L&Q) and Phoenix Community Housing. By doing so, each has signified its commitment to ensure that their staff, and contractors used by them, are safeguarding-aware and know who to report signs of neglect, abuse or harm to.
