Partners in Wakefield needed expert writing capacity to produce a new Safeguarding Strategy with full stakeholder engagement.
Client
I worked with the Wakefield and District Safeguarding Adults Board (WDSAB), a multi-agency partnership with statutory functions under the Care Act 2014 to keep vulnerable adults safe and supported.
The Problem
WDSAB required capacity and expertise to draft a strategic plan that reflected local needs and gaps for adult safeguarding. A key focus was engaging stakeholders in developing the strategy to ensure buy-in for delivery.
The Solution
I worked with the partners in WDSAB to draft the new strategy:
- a desk-based review including the following documents:
- national and regional literature, guidance and best practice
- an independent review of the board
- the existing strategic plan
- facilitation of a partnership workshop to scope the vision and strategic priorities
- facilitation of a multi-agency working group to shape the plan and contribute to the writing
drafting of the strategy for partnership feedback - support to develop consultation materials to engage with stakeholders and other partnerships
- incorporation of the consultation findings into the strategy
- finalisation of the strategy content
The Outcome
The Safeguarding Adults Board received a 2023–26 strategy to guide its delivery, with the following ambition: We will work together to prevent abuse and neglect. We will ensure that adults at risk of abuse and/or neglect are supported, listened to, engaged and empowered to live safely as they want to live. The strategy’s six objectives answer these questions:
- Where are we now?
- Where do we want to be?
- How will we achieve this?
This framework can provide the basis for robust delivery and monitoring through the WDSAB’s annual progress report.
What the Client Said
Working with Nicola was a wonderful experience. She was very easy to work with, and quickly grasped the Board’s needs and expectations. A particular strength was her ability to draw out engagement and contributions from our all partners, which was no mean feat. We would certainly look forward to working with Nicola again in future, and would highly recommend her to others considering her services.
Sarah Clarkson
Safeguarding Adults Board Business Manager, Safeguarding Adults Board Business Manager, Wakefield Council
What SAB partners said
I’ve been hugely impressed with the work you’ve done and the way you’ve gone about it; your approach and diligence and communication style have been brilliant, and the final output is fantastic (in my humble opinion). There’s a saying that goes round at the West Yorkshire ICB-level that’s along the lines of “the process you use to get to the future is the future you’ll get” – and if that’s true, then the future of the Wakefield SAB is absolutely assured.
Gary Jevon
Chief Executive Officer. Healthwatch Wakefield
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