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Learning from SAR’s and Independent Reports

Under the Section 44 of the Care Act 2014, Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs) have a statutory responsibility for the commissioning and undertaking of Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs). The purpose of a Safeguarding Adult Review is to:

“Promote effective learning and improvement action to prevent future deaths or serious harm occurring again.” 

The aim of every review should therefore be to learn lessons from the case and to make sure those lessons are applied to future cases, by all agencies in Oxfordshire, to prevent similar harm occurring. It is not about re-investigating or apportioning blame.

Referring a Case for Consideration

If a professional in Oxfordshire believes a case requires consideration by the Safeguarding Adults Board then they can complete the SAR Referral Form and submit it to the Board.

The criteria for a Safeguarding Adult Review are as follows.

· An adult 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.

· An adult has not died, but the professional knows or suspects that the adult has experienced serious abuse or neglect and there is concern that partner agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult.

What is serious abuse or neglect?

Adult sitting alone in a building with head down and knees up.

In the context of SARs, something can be considered serious abuse or neglect where:

  1. The individual would have been likely to have died, had it not been for an intervention, or
  2. The individual has suffered permanent harm or has reduced capacity or quality of life (whether because of physical of psychological effects) as a result of the abuse or neglect.