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 SafeguardingEnfield@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 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.
Professional Curiousity (March 2025) – Professional curiousity – 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.”