Make a Safeguarding Adults Review Referral
A Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) is a process for all partner agencies to identify the lessons that can be learned from particularly complex or difficult Safeguarding Adults cases and implement changes to improve services in the light of these lessons.
The Care Act guidance states the following in regard to SARs.
Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs):
- 14.162 SABs must arrange a SAR when an adult in its area dies as a result of abuse or neglect, whether known or suspected, and there is concern that partner agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult
- 14.163 SABs must also arrange a SAR if an adult in its area has not died, but the SAB knows or suspects that the adult has experienced serious abuse or neglect. In the context of SARs, something can be considered serious abuse or neglect where, for example the individual would have been likely to have died but for an intervention or has suffered permanent harm or has reduced capacity or quality of life (whether because of physical or psychological effects) as a result of the abuse or neglect. SABs are free to arrange for a SAR in any other situations involving an adult in its area with needs for care and support
- 14.164 The SAB should be primarily concerned with weighing up what type of ‘review’ process will promote effective learning and improvement action to prevent future deaths or serious harm occurring again. This may be where a case can provide useful insights into the way organisations are working together to prevent and reduce abuse and neglect of adults. SARs may also be used to explore examples of good practice where this is likely to identify lessons that can be applied to future cases
Any agency or a relative can make a referral to the Review and Learning group, by completing a SAR Referral. Read the City of York Safeguarding Adult Board procedure for Safeguarding Adult Reviews.
There are a few questions which require longer answers. You may want to compose your answers to these questions prior to completing the form. You can then 'copy and paste' your text into this form once you're ready to send it. There is a 500 character limit for each of these questions so please make sure your answers are an appropriate length.
The following questions will be asked:
- Please confirm if the adult has been informed of this referral. If not, please provide brief details of why the adult has not been informed below?
- Please provide a brief description the circumstances of this case. A full chronology is not required for screening purposes. For example, details of allegation of abuse or neglect, agency responses, key decisions made, any safeguarding procedures.
- Does the adult have care and support needs?
- Did the adult die or suffer significant harm?
- Is there a suspicion that abuse, or neglect contributed to the death or significant harm?
- Is there a reasonable cause for concern about how agencies worked together to safeguard the adult or evidence that one or more of the agencies involved did not support joint agency working?
- Does the case provide an opportunity to learn from good practice that could be applied to agencies working with adults?
- Please provide details of any additional information being submitted with this referral form for example Safeguarding concern forms; S42 Enquiries; NHS Serious Incident (SI) report; Complaints investigation; Police or GP records, Photographs/body map; Coroners report; Agency Chronology or other relevant information.
You'll be able to upload these documents when you complete the online form.
Alternatively, if you need some support to complete this online form email: sab@york.gov.uk.
Where appropriate, ensure that this SAR has been signed off by your agency Safeguarding Lead.
After you've submitted the SAR referral your submission will go to the City of York Safeguarding Adults Board (CYSAB) Review and Learning Group (RLG) for consideration and decision.
Following this, the Independent Chair of CYSAB will review your submission as well as the decision of the RLG.
The CYSAB Business Manager will be in touch with you to discuss the outcome of this SAR referral.