WSAB Policy
The WSAB Self-Neglect Policy recognises Homelessness and Rough Sleeping as form of self-neglect.
Adult Self-Neglect Best Policy Guidance
Ministerial Recommendations for Safeguarding Adults Boards
Rough Sleeper Deaths
A Rapid Review will be undertaken when a person sleeping rough dies. A Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) referral should be submitted using this form and a Rapid Review will be held.
A member of Healthwatch will be invited to join the Rapid Review panel as an observer to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Rapid Review will consider how agencies worked together to support the person and whether the SAR criteria are met.
Where the SAR criteria are met a SAR will be undertaken in line with the protocol.
Where the SAR criteria are not met a decision will be made on whether a review needs to be undertaken by another Board or organisation and whether any leaning for agencies involved has been identified.
The WSAB will collate the number of SAR referrals and SARs undertaken regarding the deaths of people sleeping rough annually and then identify any recurring themes that need to be addressed further and reported to the WSAB.
Links to useful documents and resources
The Local Government Association have published the following information on Rough Sleeping and Homelessness:
Adult safeguarding and homelessness: a briefing on positive practice | Local Government Association
Adult Safeguarding and Experience Informed Practice
Shelter have also produced the following information which sets out the rights for people who find themselves homeless:
Homelessness advice – Shelter England
At the start of 2021 they ran a series of webinars webinars were run, these can now be found here:
Manchester SAB have produced a video on a local rough sleeper known as ‘Beryl’ This gives an excellent overview on the need and application of assessing executive function when working with rough sleepers:
