Welcome to all of our new subscribers, and thank you for your interest in being a part of our Teeswide safeguarding community.
Please circulate the information in this newsletter within your organisation to help us to continue to raise awareness of Safeguarding Adults across Tees.
What’s New from TSAB
Since our last newsletter, TSAB met virtually on 10th September 2025 and 8th October 2025 for scheduled Board meetings.
Agenda highlights included:
- 2024-25 End of Year Data Dashboard
- Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council CQC Assessment Update
- Middlesbrough Council CQC Assessment Update
- Update from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government Rough Sleeping Adviser
- Strategic Plan Monitoring Framework – Mid Year Progress Update
- Update from the Board’s Sub-Groups
Introducing the Report TSAB Independent Chair, Adrian Green said:
“The Board continues to make great efforts to engage with the public, carers and practitioners to raise awareness and ensure people can recognise abuse and know how to prevent and report it. Our training offer and the raising of awareness during ‘National Safeguarding Adults Week’ are some of the great examples of engagement and awareness raising for our professionals and communities that we can be proud of“
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the Board’s key achievements, safeguarding activity and partnership working across Tees over the past year.
We encourage you to share the Annual Report widely within your networks.
Annual Survey – Have Your Say!
We are pleased to share with you TSAB’s Annual Consultation Survey for 2025/26. The results will be used to inform the Board’s future priorities for adult safeguarding across Tees. We want to hear from YOU to help us plan our priorities for the next year.
If you could please share widely amongst your networks and where possible include in any internal/external publications. Please encourage colleagues, service users and carers to complete it, it only takes a few minutes!
This survey closes on Friday 23rd January 2026.
Safeguarding Adult Reviews
Evie was 19 when she sadly died following an overdose. There had been long-standing concerns regarding suicidal thoughts and Evie had attempted suicide on a number of occasions in her childhood. The most significant incident had taken place a month after the death of her mother which caused a deterioration in Evie’s mental health. By the time of Evie‘s mum’s death her mum had been in a coma for 6 months. Evie was managing her course work and also managing her mother’s bank accounts/probate, tenancy and overwhelming grief.
This Safeguarding Adult Review looks at how services worked together to support Evie and highlighted the following themes:
- Transitional Safeguarding
- Suicide risk management
- Bereavement support
- Information Sharing /Multi-Agency Working
- Safeguarding Concerns
- Escalation and Professional Challenge
Organisations are encouraged to review the Evie Learning Briefing to consider and apply the learning to their own practice.
Printable Version link: https://www.tsab.org.uk/professionals/safeguarding-adult-review-sar-reports/
Local Policies, Procedures and Guidance
Please review the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board Inter-Agency Adult Safeguarding Procedure
Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with this procedure, especially Stage 1, and share this procedure with colleagues who may be involved in raising Safeguarding Concerns. Accurate and timely Safeguarding Concerns are vital to safeguarding adults effectively.
Local & National News
Please take a moment to review our new & refreshed documents which are available on our website. Please share within your organisations as you find appropriate.
NEW:
REFRESHED:
These documents on our website have recently been refreshed and updated:
The Department of Health and Social Care updated the statutory guidance under the Care Act 2014, reinforcing the wellbeing principle and the importance of preventing, reducing, or delaying needs.
It also includes refreshed chapters on market shaping, provider failure, and universal services.
Review the Guidance here: Care and support statutory guidance – GOV.UK
**Please note that certain parts of the guidance are still in the process of being updated to reflect the relevant statutory changes**
In our most recent podcast(s), we discover how GP practices across Middlesbrough are supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
Over two episodes, Dr Jen Standen, and Leanne Smith share how the IRIS Programme (a partnership between GPs and specialist support services like My Sisters Place)are transforming the way primary care responds to domestic abuse. We talk about how –
- Early intervention is saving lives
- Safe and trusted relationships in GP practices are making a difference
- Community support services are bridging critical gaps
Please share with your contacts to raise the profile of the Iris Programme.
Campaigns
National Safeguarding Adults Week 2025 theme is: Prevention
National Safeguarding Adults Week is an annual campaign, coordinated by the Ann Craft Trust, to raise awareness about safeguarding issues for adults who may be vulnerable to abuse or neglect. It takes place each year, typically in November, and encourages organisations and individuals to work together to promote safer environments and practices.
National Safeguarding Adults Week is an ideal opportunity for Safeguarding Champions to get involved in raising awareness of safeguarding through their networks and within the communities they work in. Working together allows us to share our knowledge of safeguarding, learn from others and ultimately create safer cultures.
Each day will focus on a different theme linked to prevention, have a look at the weeks schedule below and have a think about how you can get involved and raise awareness.
Monday – Change the Conversation
Tuesday – Prevention in Practice
Wednesday – Creating Empowering Environments
Thursday – Trust Your Instincts
Friday – Celebrate the Safer Cultures
National Safeguarding Adults Week Webpage includes a more detailed overview of the campaign including resources and online sessions.
Let us know how you plan to get involved by emailing us at [email protected].
Don’t forget to follow us on social media @TeeswideSAB to stay up to date with the latest resources, updates, and key safeguarding campaigns.
For more information on our online learning sessions and available resources please visit our 👉 Calendar of Awareness Campaigns 2025-2026 | Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board page.
Training
Training Courses
To view and request a place on any of our upcoming training courses please visit our Training Courses and Events page.
E-Learning
The Adults & Children Safeguarding Partner Organisations across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees actively support the ‘Think Family’ approach and are committed to the continuous learning and development of all staff and volunteers working with vulnerable people: adults, children, young people and families.
Through our E-Leaning site you will be able to view, select and be given immediate access to a range of e-learning opportunities.
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC): This course is aimed at professionals who come into contact with victims and survivors, including children experiencing domestic abuse and perpetrators of domestic abuse. (Duration 30 mins)
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) Single Point of Contact: This course is aimed at professionals who undertake the role of MARAC come into contact with victims and survivors, including children experiencing domestic abuse and perpetrators of domestic abuse. At the end of course you will have learnt the more about the role of a MARAC Representative, what is expected and how your involvement will ensure MARAC operates effectively.(Duration 30 mins)
Both courses can be found on the TSAB E-Learning site
Dates for the Diary
In addition to the local campaigns mentioned previously, listed below are the details of upcoming national awareness campaigns. further information including links to resources can be found on our Calendar of Awareness Campaigns 2025-26 webpage.
- 20th November 2025 – Carers Rights Day
- 25th November 2025 – White Ribbon Day
- 3rd December 2025 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- 10th December 2025 – Human Rights Day
- 17th December 2025 – International Day to end Violence Against Sex Workers
Follow us on Social Media @TeeswideSAB to keep up to date with resources and information we share as part of key campaigns.
Further Information
Cleveland Fire Brigade and Council partners’ Stay Safe and Warm scheme is completely FREE and open to anyone living in Cleveland, no age restrictions apply.
It offers access to heaters and other equipment as required (following a free home assessment). So whether it’s a short-term issue such as a boiler breakdown or an ongoing heating issue they can help.
Speak to a member of the team by calling 01429 874063
For more information on the scheme and advice on how you can help keep people safe and warm this winter, visit Cleveland Fire Brigade’s website.
Do you have concerns that an adult is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect?
Visit our Report Abuse webpage to find out how to report your concerns. The page hosts the TSAB Concern Form which should be completed and submitted to the relevant local adult social care service or alternatively you can contact them by using the contact numbers listed on the page.
As a reminder you should report abuse when:
- The adult has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs)
- And is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
TSAB also have a range of promotional materials to help raise awareness and understanding about abuse and neglect.
Leaflets and Posters are available which can be displayed within Organisations, encouraging people if they are worried someone is at risk to report it. If you are unable to print these, please get in touch and we have a limited number of printed copies.
Are you aware of the Safe Place Scheme?
What is a Safe Place?
- A place people can go if they don’t feel safe or need some help
- A place in the community that people know is there in case they need it
- This can help them to be more confident to go out independently
Who is a Safe Place for?
Anyone who might be/feel vulnerable, this can include people with:
- A learning disability
- Autism
- A physical disability
- Dementia
- Or someone who is suffering from abuse or neglect.
How can Safe Place help?
Safe Place Scheme venues can provide:
- A point of contact for anyone who needs it
- A safe, friendly and welcoming environment where people feel able to ask for help
- A place where someone can rest if they feel unwell, anxious, upset, afraid or lost
- A place where people feel listened to
- Staff who can offer help and advice or help the person call someone they know
Where can you find a Safe Place? There are many locations across Tees. Click on the Webpage link below to see a full Teeswide list and to access more information regarding the scheme: Safe Place Scheme | Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board
- Hartlepool & Stockton-On-Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership Newsletter
- South Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership Website
The latest safeguarding children training programmes for 2025-2026 are now available via the following webpages
Don’t forget that TSAB has a dedicated webpage hosting details of local and national services.
Can’t see your service/ another service on there and think it should be added? Please send the details to [email protected].
If you have any suggestions for future Newsletters, or any comments, get in touch with us using one of the communication methods below.
Email: [email protected]
Or visit our Website Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board (tsab.org.uk)