In celebration of Adult Safeguarding Week, we shine a spotlight on an integral member of our team, Deborah Jones, who serves as a Safeguarding Associate Practitioner. With almost three years in this role, Deborah brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the table.
Deborah's journey into safeguarding evolved from a robust clinical background, with 16 years dedicated to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS). Her transition from a clinical advisor at DHU reflects her deep-rooted commitment to safeguarding. She reflects, "Safeguarding has always been a particular interest to me. When i worked for YAS, we’d attend emergency calls, make the safeguarding referral via phone to a hub , but then never find out the outcome. It made me think we never know if this individual got the support they needed, and there are people out there to support, protect and help to keep them safe."
In her current role, Deborah finds fulfilment in stepping back from clinical assessment to focus on safeguarding. "We have the luxury of really focusing on safeguarding at DHU," she notes. "We're investing in helping staff to understand safeguarding, recognize the red flags, and empower them to have the confidence to recognise these concerns and know what to do."
On a day-to-day basis, Deborah and the team meticulously review all safeguarding referrals that come into the organisation. From urgent treatment centres to home visits, every referral is reviewed, with additional checks on clinical notes for any further relevant information. Deborah emphasises the collaborative nature of their work, saying, "We're liaising with social care, GP’S, liaising with the police sometimes, the idea being that we've got all these organizations coming together to support this one individual."
As a small, close-knit team, Deborah underscores the invaluable knowledge shared by their line managers. "Their knowledge is just phenomenal. It's passed down to us," she affirms. In reflecting on her relatively short time in safeguarding, Deborah highlights the vast learning experience, expanding her understanding beyond health services to encompass a myriad of support services available to people.
As Safeguarding Week unfolds, Deborah's key message is clear: "I want to remind everyone of the importance of recognising red flags and highlight the need for confidence in addressing these issues." She assures clinicians that support is readily available from the team. "Safeguarding is about professional curiosity and sharing information," Deborah states emphatically. "It's about people being able to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect, and us being able to recognise and share information when it's appropriate to do so. I think that's the crux of it, really."