Investigators in Adult Safeguarding

Why choose this course?

• depending on the level of police involvement many practitioners will need to be part of investigating adult abuse, if only at the preliminary level
• unless they have had experience and training in this area it will be very easy for the wrong kind of investigation to contaminate evidence and prevent a successful prosecution
• some staff are understandably nervous about this responsibility and making a painful situation even worse
• this course balances procedural requirements and legislation with expanding interpersonal communication
• positive results ~ vulnerable victims are treated with sensitive confidence, adult safeguarding procedures are followed correctly and staff anxieties are reduced

Time: 9.30 - 4.30

Expected outcomes: ~by the end of the course participants will be able to

• identify when personal vulnerabilities are affecting communication
• examine the personal and cultural normative values in existence
• understand the background to adult safeguarding
• have revised categories of abuse and predisposing factors
• recognise how use of 'preferred sense' aids communication
• identify their own and others position on the personality axis and how this is reflected in language and response
• evaluate how abuse may affect capacity and an ability to make choices
• compare good and poor practise with regard to interviewing
• know the 4 stages of adult safeguarding intervention
• be clear about the purpose of the investigation
• know how to plan and structure an interview
• convene a strategy meeting or a case conference
• use open as opposed to leading or closed questions
• discuss how to do this when there is communication or intellectual impairment
• look at the role of intermediaries and when to involve them
• consider the legal framework including 'Achieving Best Evidence'

Nature of training:
Exercises will range from lecture style input to discussion and small group work. Some role playing will be used to practice the investigating process.

There will be an expectation that participants will have already completed a Basic Awareness course in Adult protection or safeguarding and will have some knowledge of local policy and procedure. It will be the responsibility of each organisation to provide copies of the Joint Policy and Procedures to participants.

Hand outs will be provided to reinforce all theoretical input. Some visual as well as written work may be done in order to look at full communication.