On Friday 5th July, Advonet are involved in two events. The first is to launch work with CHANGE on using people’s lived experience of Restraint, Seclusion and Segregation (RSS) to stop that from happening in health and care settings. The second is on getting people’s feedback on the safeguarding process, using it to make it better for anyone who needs safeguarding in future.
Both events and their linked projects are closely connected in a number of ways. The strongest link is that they both aim to use people’s lived experience to make positive changes to the way in which people are treated.
For the RSS work, hearing people’s stories could help put an end to restraint, seclusion and segregation being used in health and care settings. As for the safeguarding project, the feedback given about it will help to bring about changes to the process, ensuring people feel safe and listened to throughout.

Greater involvement

The two projects also aim to involve people with lived experience in trying to make changes. Without hearing their experiences, it will be far more difficult to know what needs to be changed as far as safeguarding and use of RSS are concerned.
One of the safeguarding feedback project’s main goals is to set up a “citizen’s panel”. The panel will be responsible for feeding back what people who’ve experienced safeguarding have said to the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB). With that feedback from the panel, the SAB will then be able to make changes.

Voices heard

Finally, both events and projects are about making sure people’s voices are heard. This is a massive part of what Advonet does, and we want to bring a strong sense of people being heard into both projects. If people who’ve experienced RSS and/or safeguarding aren’t being listened to, there’s every chance that the current cycle will continue.
Without being heard, people’s rights are disrespected and their views go ignored. In the case of RSS, this is particularly harrowing, especially in light of the Care Quality Commission (CQC)’s restraint review.

Get involved

If you would like to come along to either or both events, here are the details:
Lived Experience of Restraint, Seclusion and Segregation (RSS) – Friday 5th July, 10am-12:30pm

Safeguarding Feedback – Friday 5th July, 1pm-3:30pm

For further information on both projects and events, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by calling our office on 0113 244 0606.