Safeguarding Adults Reviews
The Care Act 2014 sets out that SABs have a statutory duty to undertake a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) when:
an adult has died (including death by suicide), and abuse or neglect is known or suspected to be a factor in their death;
or
an adult has experienced serious abuse or neglect which has resulted in: permanent harm, reduced capacity or quality of life (whether because of physical or psychological effects), or the individual would have been likely to have died but for an intervention;
and
there is concern that partner agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult.
Purpose of a SAR
The purpose of a SAR is not to to apportion blame, it is to:
- establish whether there are any lessons to be learnt from the circumstances of the case, about the way in which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard adults,
- review the effectiveness of procedures,
- inform and improve local inter-agency practice,
- improve practice by acting on learning, and,
- highlight good practice.
The Sussex SAR Protocol adopted by Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex SABS aims to ensure there is a consistent approach to the process and practice of SARs across Sussex that follows both statutory guidance and local policies.
A SAR Referral Learning Briefing has been produced to support understanding of the SAR criteria and the key considerations when making a referral.
In December 2020 the Local Government Association (LGA) published a landmark study highlighting the findings of the first national analysis of SARs in England since the implementation of the Care Act. The full report and executive summary are available on the LGA website:
The LGA website also contains a range of briefings in relation to the SAR National Analysis for a range of audiences including SAB Chairs and Managers, senior managers, practitioners, as well as for individuals and families.
Any agency or professional can make a referral for a SAR where the criteria are met, using the SAR Referral Form .