About the Safeguarding Adults Board

The North Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board (NSSAB) is a statutory body established by the Care Act 2014.

Our main objective is to protect all adults in the area who have care and support needs, and who are unable to protect themselves because of those needs against abuse or neglect. 

We achieve this by co-ordinating the work of our member agencies. This includes determining shared policy, facilitating joint training, raising public awareness and monitor and reviewing the quality of adult safeguarding services in North Somerset.

The Partnership achieves its role by implementing the main principles of adult safeguarding, which are shown below. 

1. empowerment – to support and encourage people to make their own decisions and give informed consent
   • “I am asked what I want as the outcomes from the safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens.”
2. prevention – to take action before harm occurs
   • “I receive clear and simple information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help.”
3. proportionality – the least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented
   • “I am sure that the professionals will work in my interest, as I see then and then will only get involved as much as needed.”
4. protection – support and representation for those in the greatest need
   • “I get help and support to report abuse and neglect. I get help so that I am able to take part in the safeguarding process to the extent that I want.”
5. partnership – local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse
   • “I know that staff treat any personal and sensitive information in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and necessary. I am confident that professionals will work together and with me to get the best result for me.”
6. accountability – accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding
   • “I understand the role of everyone involved in my life and so do they.”