Manchester Safeguarding Standard

Manchester Safeguarding Children Board (MSCB) and Manchester Adult Safeguarding Board (MSAB) expect all providers and commissioners of services for adults at risk and children in Manchester to adhere to this safeguarding standard.  This represents the minimum standards expected.

The MSCB and MSAB will quality assure against this standard using a number of tools including:

• Annual self assessment for all MSCB and MSAB member agencies and other key stakeholders;
• Single agency audit information;
• Quality review of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC);
• MSCB and MSAB multi agency audit information;
• Inspection/declarations and audits that organisations are subject to;
• Serious Case Review recommendations - evidence of practice improvement;
• Domestic Homicide Review recommendations - evidence of practice improvement.

Objectives:

1. Safeguarding practice with both adults at risk and children will -

• reflect best practice nationally;
• incorporate learning from Serious Case Reviews locally;
• be regularly audited and evaluated;
• be informed by MSAB and MSCB policies and procedures;
• ensure that the safety of children is always considered by practitioners working with adults at risk, particularly where domestic abuse, mental health or drug and alcohol abuse are known to be a factor;
• ensure that the safety of adults at risk is considered by practitioners working with children.

2. The MSCB and MSAB can be assured of the effectiveness of safeguarding practice across Manchester and identify where there are issues that need addressing, using their authority to ensure this happens where needed.

3. Commissioners apply a consistent safeguarding standard to their commissioning activity.

4. Organisations monitor and assess the effectiveness of their Safeguarding practice across Manchester and identify where there are issues that need addressing.

5. Managers feel confident and competent in their roles and responsibilities.

6. Individual practitioners receive appropriate training and support to allow them to practice in a competent and confident manner.

Outcome: 

By adopting this standard across providers and commissioners of services in Manchester, the MSCB and MSAB will be assured that the quality of multi-agency practice with adults and children is regularly assessed and monitored, and that processes are in place to improve the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements for adults and children in the city within the context of the individual, the family and the community.