About the Safeguarding Adults Board

What is the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board?

The board has been established to improve practice which protects and safeguards adults in vulnerable circumstances in Dorset. The board meets quarterly. The board works to:

• develop strategies to reduce risk and prevent harm occurring to adults in vulnerable situations, as well as reacting effectively when it happens
• ensure national policy, guidance and best practice standards are being adhered to locally
• determine local policy and procedures 
• coordinate activity between agencies 
• facilitate joint training 
• ensure good communication with the public and raise awareness about how to recognise and refer concerns about vulnerable adults being harmed 
• monitor and review standards in safeguarding practices 
• develop ways of working, which will improve ability to support Dorset residents across the community to live a life free from abuse 
• learn lessons from where people have not been adequately protected

Who is on the board

The Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board is made up of senior representatives from all the statutory agencies, including:

• Dorset Council
• NHS Dorset
• Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue
• Dorset HealthCare NHS Foundation Trust
• Dorset National Probation Service 
• Dorset Police
• Independent Provider
• NHS England - South West
• South West Ambulance Service Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust 
• Healthwatch
• Dorset Volunteers Centre
• Volunteer Sector representatives
• HMP Portland, HMP The Verne, HMP Guys Marsh.

The Board is chaired by an Independent Chair who is appointed by the local authority and the Director of Adult Social Services. The Board's business manager attends all meetings to provide professional advice to the Board. The Board is also supported by an administrator.

Safeguarding Adults Review Panel (SARs)

A Safeguarding Adults Review is a process for all partner agencies to identify the lessons that can be learned from particularly complex or serious safeguarding adults cases, where an adult in vulnerable circumstances has died or been seriously injured and abuse or neglect has been suspected. As a result of a detailed review, the Panel recommends changes to improve practice and services in the light of these lessons.

Find out more about Safeguarding Adults Reviews

Further information

• Business Plan
• Modern Slavery Protocol
• Strategic Plan 2023 to 2026
• Complaints Policy
• Constitution

Contact the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board