Choose care, help and support safely

How to safely choose care, help and support for adults  

The Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board wants all adults to be safe and secure. As an individual, carer or family member, it’s important that when choosing care or help and support for yourself or loved ones, you choose carefully. 

Our new leaflet outlines what you should expect, and how to identify safe, good quality services and support when choosing personal assistants, care homes, sitting services, care homes, cleaners and community groups. 

What to look out for

All organisations providing a service for vulnerable adults, including groups, individuals and charities who run events or activities, should have: 

• An understanding of safeguarding and a safeguarding lead to report concerns to
• available procedures for raising complaints or concerns
• a code of conduct or good practice guidance
• consent and emergency processes, including gathering relevant contact details and medical information
• safe recruitment processes for volunteers and staff
• trained volunteers and staff in safeguarding
• suitable supervisors to manage services, activities and groups mindful of different ages, abilities, group sizes, activities and the venue
• a safe environment for activities to take place or safe operating procedures to deliver services
• A transparent and safe fees and payment process and structure 

Keeping adults safe

If you want to make sure you’re making the right decision before committing to a service, try asking the following questions:

• Are you safeguarding trained?
• Do you have a safeguarding process or policy?
• What specific experience do you have?
• What are your relevant qualifications?
• Have you been DBS checked?
• Is the right insurance in place?
• Are there appropriate safety and emergencies processes in place? 

If you have any concerns about your own safety or the safety of an adult, you must call the Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Team on 01344 351500. 

Where to go for information, help or advice

Independent Age
Helpline 0800 319 6789

Age UK Berkshire
Phone 0118 959 4242 or email info@ageukberkshire.org.uk 

Care Quality Commission
Phone 03000 616161

Support with Confidence - Action for People
Phone 01344 206 113

Citizens Advice Bracknell
Phone 03444 111 306

Which? Choosing a care home

Hard copies of the leaflets will soon be available in coffee shops, libraries, doctors’ surgeries, schools and family hubs (formerly children’s centres) across Bracknell Forest. 

There is also a leaflet to safely choose clubs, groups, help and support for children.