7 Minute Briefings are a great way to communicate the key learning or ideas around a complex area quickly and easily. They can be great tools for discussion in team meetings and further learning. Below you can find several briefings that the Enfield Safeguarding Adults Board have prepared around a number of topics.
Let us know if there is something you would like to see a 7-minute briefing on EnfieldSAB@enfield.gov.uk ’
Safeguarding adult reviews
‘A Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) is a process for all partner agencies to identify the lessons that can be learned from particularly complex or serious safeguarding adult cases. As a result of a detailed review, recommendations are made to change or improve practice and services. 7 Minute Briefings highlight key learning for frontline staff and can be vital tools to communicate that learning.’
The Elly SAR (January 2026) (PDF, 771.88 KB)- Elly was a highly educated woman with long-term mental health difficulties who repeatedly went missing, rough slept and experienced significant self-neglect. The review highlighted a number of key points around relationship based practice, pattern recognition and professional curiosity.
The Ms C SAR (September 2025) (PDF, 284.37 KB)- Ms C was a transwoman in her 50s who died in her home (in Enfield) in late 2022. She suffered from heart disease and diabetes – and had also been diagnosed with a personality disorder. Ms C’s GP was working to re-establish a number of medications at the time of her death but she died of natural causes in her home. The review identified a number of ways that partners could work together to engage adults positively around self-neglect.
ESAB 7 Minute Briefing Thematic SAR into Self-neglect, Homelessness and Premature Death (July 2024) (PDF, 805.72 KB)- This review examined five adults who died prematurely. Across the cases there were common themes including a history of street homelessness and unstable accommodation, addiction, mental health issues and poor health.
The Mr K SAR (December 2022) (PDF, 272.23 KB)- Mr K frequently declined care packages and clinical care at points of discharge and assessment. There is not always evidence in the record that his reasons for doing so (or his suggested alternatives/ understanding of consequences of doing so) were explored with him. This is a point that has come up more than once in Safeguarding Adults Reviews.
The Sophie SAR (May 23) ‘Sophie’ was an 18-year-old woman who sadly passed away at North Middlesex Hospital in 2017 with arterial thrombosis, signs of heart problems and diabetes. Throughout, Sophie was believed to have mental capacity to make decisions bout her care. However, a number of professionals were very concerned about missed appointments and poor management of her diabetes. The review identifies both good practice and missed opportunities in supporting Sophie.
The Jacob SAR (March 2024) ‘ Jacob’ came to the attention of services a number of times between 2015-2019. Each time, he was in crisis and he was sectioned under S. 136 (Police powers to take someone to a place of safety for further assessment). However, each time, he was later assessed as suffering from alcohol or substance related psychosis or issues and not taken to a Mental Health Hospital. In 2019, he went on to commit a violent crime. The review identified missed opportunities to support him to avoid this.
The Thematic Carer’s SAR (February 2025) - This Thematic review identifies 4 cases where informal carers were involved and there were concerns about how the family had been supported. In all of the cases, family carers had refused care services and were not being supported (with minimal exceptions). This review looks at ways we can better support both carers and the cared for.
The Ruth SAR (March 2025) – ‘Ruth’ was a 56-year-old woman living in Enfield. She died of organ failure in November 2022. In the last 3 months of her life, Ruth spent time in three separate hospitals and had services from multiple partners – including two separate care agencies. Concerns were raised around a lack of communication between agencies particularly.
Practice learning
The Enfield Safeguarding Adults Board has identified certain key topics for learning around work with vulnerable adults and developed these 7-minute briefings to support partners.
The Enfield Hoarding Framework (October 2026) (PDF, 719.11 KB)– people who live in extremely cluttered environments are at risk in a number of ways and the Enfield SAB partners have worked together to develop a framework for supporting them. Some key take aways are highlighted here.
The Equality Act 2010 (August 2026) (PDF, 1068.91 KB)– a key piece of legislation in Safeguarding Adults. This briefing highlights points to be aware of and the important of explicit recording around protected characteristics and reasonable adjustments made or considered.
The Social Graces Framework (August 2026) (PDF, 970.72 KB)– a framework to consider identity and social differences which can help professionals reflect around how they work with people in a way that respects those differences.
Advocacy in Safeguarding (January 2026) (PDF, 776.41 KB)– Advocacy is a vital consideration in all safeguarding work, this briefing highlights some factors to consider and how important this is.
Safe Contact (December 2025) (PDF, 773.79 KB)– Considerations around what information to share with others and how to make safe contact with an adult who may be being abused or neglected by someone close to them.
Safeguarding Where Someone Has Died Prior to the Referral Being Received (December 2025) (PDF, 628.87 KB)– Guidance around how the Local Authority and partners will progress referrals received after the adult has died.
Out of Area Safeguarding Arrangements (November 2025) (PDF, 809.65 KB) – ADASS has issued guidance around how local authorities should handle safeguarding where the host authority (where the abuse took place) and the commissioning or placing authority are different.
Advice for Enquiry Officers working with formal Care Providers in Safeguarding (June 2025) (PDF, 777.82 KB) – top tips for enquiry officers working with care providers to improve communications and outcomes in these cases.
Professional Curiosity (March 2025) – Professional curiosity – sometimes referred to as compassionate enquiry – is a key tool to support us in understanding what is happening with the adults we support – questioning and thinking about Why, What, Where, Where and How.
Executive Mental Capacity (March 2025) - A person may appear to be able to weigh facts while sitting in an interview setting but if they do not transfer those facts to real life situations in everyday life (executing the plan) they may lack mental capacity in relation to a specific decision. This can be referred to as Executive mental capacity. Reviews have highlighted how important it is to consider executive capacity particularly around self-neglect.
Safeguarding adults principles
The Care Act (2014) identifies six principles of Safeguarding Adults which apply to everyone (no matter what your role) who works around safeguarding adults. These 7-minute briefings were originally drafted for adult social care staff but it is vital that we consider these principles in every aspect of work with safeguarding adults.
Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding. “I understand the role of everyone involved in my life and so do they.”
Empowerment – People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions using informed consent. “I am asked what I want as the outcomes from the safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens.”
Partnership - Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse. “I know that staff treat any personal and sensitive information in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and necessary. I am confident that professionals will work together and with me to get the best result for me.”
Prevention - It is better to take action before harm occurs. “I receive clear and simple information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help.”
Proportionality - The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented. “I am sure that the professionals will work in my interest, as I see them and they will only get involved as much as needed.”
Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need. “I get help and support to report abuse and neglect. I get help so that I am able to take part in the safeguarding process to the extent to which I want.”