Partnership Champions - H&F London Fire Brigade
In 2023, the Hammersmith & Fulham leadership team at London Fire Brigade were awarded the prize for Partnership Champion whilst up against many other worthy nominees from around the country. We spoke to Borough Commander, Lloyd Palmer, to find out more about the work of his team, that led to this award.
Congratulations on winning an award at the 2023 National Safeguarding Awards back in November! What work were you recognised for?
As a team, we were honoured to receive the award, which was as a result of our proactive approach to developing joint safeguarding initiatives, focusing on adults at risk. This included the co-production of a targeted learning package centred on the initiative of ‘Making Every Contact Count’. The package has been made available to a wide range of partners, incorporating learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews.
Tell us more about the role the London Fire Brigade plays in safeguarding adults at risk?
The London Fire Brigade has senior management representation at all Safeguarding Adult Boards across London and, in accordance with the Care Act 2014, contributes to a partnership approach in working together to prevent abuse and neglect to adults in need of care and support. Internally, this is achieved through educating our teams in risk awareness and identifying vulnerabilities. Importantly, then implementing the correct reporting procedures in seeking to secure the appropriate support.
Left to Right: Jim Berry, Station Commander Hammersmith Fire Station, Lloyd Palmer, Borough Commander and Kevin Morgan, Station Commander Fulham Fire Station.
What are your reflections on partnership working in Hammersmith & Fulham?
The contribution by all partners in striving for an effective and efficient partnership platform is second to none and, as a team, we have all encountered some really positive experiences in this regard. The joint approach to our ‘Making Every Contact Count’ initiative is a great example of this and how, by working together, real progress can be achieved.
One of the recommendations from Safeguarding Adult Review ‘Alison’, was that, cases where it is identified that a person may not have the capacity to understand fire risks in their home, be approached jointly considering joint assessments with LFB colleagues. What does this look like in practice?
In such cases, it is again crucial that a joint, multi-agency approach is adopted from the outset. This means accurate case information can be shared, contributing to collective situational awareness. Using a structured approach, policies, procedures and legislation can be jointly considered, including that around mental capacity, with appropriate options identified.
This ultimately leads to a joint decision made on the agreed way forward, with actions allocated to individuals and teams as required.
What are your priorities for adult safeguarding moving forward?
As a team, we feel that a key priority is for professional conversations to continue between partners when risk and vulnerabilities are identified. To further support the great partnership work we have experienced, opportunities to progress and develop relationships should be explored, leading to the joint multi-agency approach to safeguarding becoming the embedded norm.