Key Questions
- What is a SAR?
- When does a SAR take place?
- Why does a SAR take place?
- Who does a SAR?
- How should a SAR take place?
What is a SAR?
SAR stands for Safeguarding Adult Review.
A Safeguarding Adult Review takes place when an adult in the local authority’s area suffers serious abuse or neglect which results in a death or serious harm and where there is a concern that partner agencies could have worked together more effectively.
The review will look at individual and organisational practice as well as how organisations work together.
When does a SAR take place?
There are four situations lead to a Safeguarding Adult Review.
Any situation where an adult has suffered serious abuse or neglect which has led to:
- a death due to serious abuse or neglect;
- a situation where the abuse or neglect might have led to the death of the person;
- a situation where the abuse and neglect has led to reduced quality of life for the person – whether that’s mental, physical or psychological; and
- where the Safeguarding Adult Board feels it would be useful to review a particular case in detail in order to learn from it.
A SAR can take place whether or not a person is receiving services from adult social care.
If you feel that a case fits any of these you should raise your concerns with your line manager immediately.
Why does a SAR take place?
The purpose of a Safeguarding Adult Review is to provide an opportunity for everyone to learn what led to the harm to the person, so that this can be prevented in future.
It’s purpose is not to blame anyone or to hold any individual or organisation to account. There are other ways of doing that through disciplinary procedures, employment law and criminal proceedings
The person conducting the SAR will provide a report that captures all of the details of the case, identifying areas of learning and making recommendations for actions to be taken to prevent future similar situations arising
The focus of a SAR is on learning for everyone an on blaming no one.
Who does a SAR?
Safeguarding Adult Boards are responsible for arranging Safeguarding Adult Reviews. They will arrange for an independent person with the right skills and experience to review the case.
How should a SAR take place?
The independent SAR manager will see all those involved in the case including the person, their family, all staff directly involved in the care of the person and managers in the organisations involved.
When a SAR needs to take place it is a difficult time for everyone – so it is important to recognise this and make staff, families, and the person at the centre of the case, feel as comfortable and secure as possible, so they can be open and honest.