As we are all now acutely aware, the early months of 2020 were marked by the emergence of COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. As a response the PSAP sought assurance from its partner agencies and set out to monitor and respond to the crisis, whilst remaining linked to national and regional groups for information and consistency of approach. Areas of note for the Partnership included:
- Recognition that safeguarding remained a statutory duty under the Coronavirus Act 2020. Partners continued to undertake and support safeguarding work, as emphasised in the Care Act Easements guidance, which clarified that partners should continue to work to prevent and reduce the risk of abuse and neglect of people with care and support needs.
- Engagement with partners to manage the SAB functions appropriately, seeking support to adapt services to respond effectively to the changing picture.
- The establishment of monthly PSAP Executive Group overview meetings, held remotely to receive COVID-19 related updates, monitor trends etc.
- Assurance gained regarding increased public facing communications focused on safeguarding remaining ‘business as usual’, and support and advice provided to staff and volunteer groups supporting shielding residents.
- Maintenance of effective channels of communication with partners proved paramount to providing effective support. Using existing communication networks via the Partnership to publicise information regarding safeguarding and COVID-19.
- Received, circulated and responded to Government COVID-19 guidance, Local Public Health, CCG and Commissioning advice and support.
- Assurance that CQC continued to collect data from regulated care settings, support providers, and undertook visits when notified of a risk of abuse/neglect.
- Partners substantially assisted the City’s most vulnerable residents who were shielding, and actively developed, led and supported the mobilisation of the ‘Caring for Plymouth’ service, to support the tens of thousands of individuals and families who were self-isolating at home.
Initial learning from data
- Reporting of some forms of abuse, such as domestic abuse, psychological abuse and self-neglect increased slightly, and monthly monitoring was established.
- Reporting of safeguarding concerns where the risk was located in the individual's own home, increased markedly since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown period, largely attributed to the confinement of people in their homes, and reporting from visiting support teams.
- Reporting of safeguarding concerns with risk located in care homes had decreased in the same period; suggesting this would be due to the relative reduction in external scrutiny in those environments during the lockdown period.