Organisations across Northumberland are coming together this week to raise awareness of how everyone has a role to play in keeping people safe and free from abuse, harm and neglect. 
 

Northumberland Safeguarding Children and Adults Partnership (NCASP) are pleased to be supporting National Safeguarding Adults Week which takes place between Monday 21 November and Friday 25 November 2022. 
 

Led by the Anne Craft Trust, the week brings together national, regional, and local events aimed at highlighting how everyone has a role to play when it comes to safeguarding.  
 

Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Adults Partnership (NCASP) work together to protect children and adults with care and support needs from abuse and neglect. 
 

There are many different types of abuse including domestic, physical and financial abuse, modern slavery and exploitation, psychological and emotional abuse, neglect, self-neglect, radicalisation, sexual abuse, ‘honour-based’ violence, discrimination and hate crime. 
 

Cllr Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member responsible for Adult Wellbeing, said: “This week is a really important opportunity to shine a light on all the brilliant work taking place in Northumberland, regionally and nationally to ensure that all our residents can live their lives safely and free from abuse, harm and neglect. 
 

“With the impact of the pandemic and the rising cost of living, it’s more important than ever that everyone knows the role they can play in looking out for one another – and also ourselves. 
 

Reduced face-to-face contact with people and access to their homes as well as an increased reluctance for people to access support and services are thought to be contributory factors to this.  
 

Research and experience tell us that many aspects of self-neglect work are particularly challenging for front-line practitioners, who have emphasised the need for increased knowledge about self-neglect and the skills for effective intervention.  
 

To address some of the issues, Safeguarding Adults Boards regionally have created resources to help support practitioners and an animation to raise public awareness of self-neglect and the role everyone plays in reporting safeguarding concerns. You can view it here. 
 

Paula Mead, NCASP Independent Safeguarding Scrutiny and Assurance Chair, said: “As Independent Chair of the Northumberland Safeguarding Adults Board, I welcome this opportunity to explore how we best respond to emerging, complex safeguarding risks and their associated challenges.  
 

“Safeguarding Adults Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness, in the community and across organisations, of present-day safeguarding themes. It’s also an opportunity to support partners to feel confident in recognising signs of abuse and neglect, and to report safeguarding concerns.” 
 

For more information and resources visit: Safeguarding Adults Week 2022. 
 

If you are concerned about an adult or child who is at risk of neglect or abuse in Northumberland contact:  
 
Onecall:  01670 536 400  
Text phone: 01670 536 844 
Email: safeguardingreferrals@northumberland.gov.uk 
 
If you need medical advice and support immediately, but it’s not life threatening, call your GP or NHS 111. 
 
You should always call 999 in an emergency - for example when someone’s life is at risk or someone is seriously injured or critically ill.