Safeguarding investigations and assessments
Any investigation into the abuse of a vulnerable adult must only be carried out within the context of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board policies and procedures.
Undertaking a safeguarding investigation
1.The purpose of the safeguarding assessment is to determine:
- Whether the adult likely to have suffered harm or been placed at risk of harm
- Whether the adult is likely to be at significant risk of further harm
- The nature and seriousness of that harm
- To identify their needs in managing that risk
- A review of the options available to manage an identified risk of harm
- The views and wishes of the adult with regard to their circumstances
- The adult’s ability to make decisions about those circumstances and give effect to those decision.
2. The assessment should involve, as a minimum:
- An assessment visit/interview with the adult at risk of harm
- Assessment interviews with other significant people, including the alleged perpetrator where this is appropriate
- Risk/indicators assessment
- Options analysis
Planning the assessment
As far as possible the assessment should be planned to minimise disruption or distress to the adult being assessed. Where possible interviews should be done jointly so as to avoid duplication and information shared, in accordance with information sharing protocols.
In some circumstances the assessor may need to take account of other agencies requirements e.g. the police may not wish an alleged perpetrator to be alerted to concerns before they have formally interviewed that person.
