Safeguarding and protection from abuse: outstanding

S1. How do systems, processes and practices safeguard people from abuse?

Characteristics of services we would rate as outstanding in this area

People are involved in developing a comprehensive and innovative approach to safeguarding, which enables positive risk-taking to maximise their control over their lives.

People are involved in decisions about their safety to the maximum possible extent and their wishes are respected. The service does so creatively and works with people and their supporters using imaginative and innovative ways to understand their wishes.

Where children use the service, flexible new approaches to practice are developed with them and their families, which prevent abuse and enable possible problems to be detected early, taking particular account of groups who lack voice. Children, external agencies and families participate in innovative ways of safeguarding. The service looks for and uses new and existing good practice and research findings in child-centred practice to deliver person-centred safe care and support.

The service is particularly creative in the way it involves and works with people to understand their diverse circumstances and individual needs. It challenges discrimination and encourages staff, people who use the service and others to do the same.

It seeks ways to continually improve, puts changes into practice and sustains them.

Staff are exceptionally well-trained in safeguarding people. They are highly skilled at recognising when people are at risk of abuse or feel unsafe, and they are comfortable and proactive when challenging and reporting unsafe practice.

Staff develop positive and trusting relationships with people that help to keep them safe; staff have the time they need to do so, or make the time.

People who use the service and staff are actively encouraged and empowered to raise their concerns and to challenge risks to people's safety. There are no recriminations when they do so; it is seen as a normal and desirable part of day-to-day practice.