Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu

New vulnerable adults risk management process

December 1, 2021

A new risk management process for vulnerable adults has been introduced across Sandwell for colleagues to follow.

Vulnerable adults risk management (VARM) aims to ensure an effective multi-agency working around vulnerable adults deemed to have mental capacity, but who are at risk of serious harm or death through self neglect, risk taking behaviour or refusal of services.

The process aims to embed early intervention through multi-agency meetings and the use of a risk framework to manage the risk to a vulnerable adult.

VARM will:

  • Identify the relevant risks with the individual
  • Discuss and agree involved participants responsibilities/actions
  • Record, monitor and review progress with the agreed action plan
  • Agree when the risks have been managed and evaluate the outcome

The new process has been developed in response to identified learning from safeguarding adult reviews in Sandwell. These reviews identified that professionals often struggled to understand who to share information about risk with.  Identified themes have included drugs and alcohol misuse, hoarding, mental health needs and/or learning disabilities, and homelessness.

A number of awareness sessions are taking place for those colleagues who will be using the new process. Sessions will take place on Monday 20 December and Tuesday 21 December between 2-3pm and colleagues can book by clicking here.