A new initiative to safeguard vulnerable adults across the county was launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by  Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire  Care Association.

With more than 90 per cent of the county’s adult care  being provided by the independent, private and voluntary sector,  care bosses and  county councillors have a moral duty to work together on protecting them, LCA Chair and Springhill Care Group boss Ken Nolan  told  delegates at the launch workshop.

The public  agreement aims to protect people supported  and cared for in group living situations from a number of  abuse and neglect  issues – from family bullying to forced marriages.   It will clarify professional roles and responsibilities, making it easier to intervene.

After signing the Joint Protocol and Joint Statement on Safeguarding along with County Councillor Valerie Wilson  at Farington Lodge, Leyland, on June 15,  Ken added that  the public and private sector Partnership had  strived to create a genuine and positive relationship.

“We’ve  managed to look at the  big picture in Lancashire  for the benefit of the people we care for and support and build a  constructive path forward.”

“We have a moral public duty to listen to each other and get it right - not just pay lip service”  he  added  afterwards.

“I’m proud to say I think we’ve been successful in achieving a genuine Partnership approach over the past seven or eight years.  We’ve identified what we agree and disagree on and  discovered much common ground between  commissioners and providers  through our regular Learning Together workshops.”

Ken,   who chairs the LCA in a voluntary capacity,  owns Accrington’s successful Springhill Care Group  which includes the award wining Springhill Care Home. 

The five star rated home was recently awarded  Beacon Status by the  Government’s Gold Standards Framework for which it will be referred to as an example of best practice.

Later Ken added, that the safeguarding commitment follows the Partnership’s successful  launch of  the Lancashire Dignity in Care campaign in recent years .

“This remains a high priority today as it was  when launched and it  continues to move forward. Ensuring the dignity and safeguarding of our most vulnerable is and should be everybody’s business.”

  To view the article on the Carehome.co.uk website click on this link

Pictured signing the declaration on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day are Left to Right:

Dr Margaret Flynn, Chair, Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board

Clr Valerie Wilson, Lancashire County Council

Olive Carroll, Director of Personal Social Care/Executive Director of Adult & Community Service

Ken Nolan, Chair, Lancashire Care Association