Charity sets up support network for practitioners to prevent abuse of vulnerable adults

The Action on Elder Abuse, which campaigns against the abuse of vulnerable adults, has set up a support network for practitioners to help stop the abuse of older people and people with disabilities.

The Adult Safeguarding ‘Practitioners Support Network’ was set up four weeks ago and it already has 200 members.

The Practitioner’s Support Network is hosted by the Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) and is coordinated by Dr John Beer, former director of adult social services at Southampton and current chair of the charity.

Dr Beer said, “With rising demand and expectations, and reduced funding, adult safeguarding can be a demanding job. I hope this Network will help members to help themselves and their colleagues by building skills and confidence, and by providing peer group support to each other.

“We can all learn together and advise legislators, employers and regulators on how they can work with us to reduce and prevent adult abuse. And with the imminent publication of a White Paper and a Draft Bill it is even more important that the voices of safeguarding practitioners can be heard.”

The network has several aims including enabling the sharing of information and experiences to better inform and develop safeguarding policies, procedures and practice; helping to disseminate good practice and share experiences and as a vehicle to share the latest information on the development of safeguarding legislation.

Practitioners are defined as anyone who has a ‘safeguarding’ role, including police, solicitors, health, local authority staff, Third Sector, and care providers.

There is no membership costs associated with the Network, and people can join by either downloading the application form available on the AEA website or by completing the online form.