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New safeguarding strategy aims to make Gloucestershire safer for adults at risk

Published
A new strategy designed to help protect adults from abuse and neglect across Gloucestershire is set to be approved by Gloucestershire County Council. 
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The proposed Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (GSAB) Strategy 2026-2029 sets out how organisations across the county will work together to keep adults safe, promote independence, and ensure people receive the right support when they need it.

The strategy has been developed by the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board, which brings together partners including Gloucestershire County Council, the NHS, Gloucestershire Constabulary and voluntary sector organisations. It focuses on preventing harm, promoting awareness of safeguarding, listening to people with lived experience, and ensuring professionals have the skills and knowledge to respond effectively to concerns.

For Gloucestershire residents, the strategy aims to:

  • strengthen efforts to prevent abuse and neglect before it happens
  • improve awareness of safeguarding and how to report concerns
  • ensure adults at risk are involved in decisions about their lives and support
  • improve partnership working so organisations can respond more effectively to safeguarding concerns
  • learn from people's experiences to continually improve services and outcomes
  • support staff and volunteers across organisations to recognise and respond to safeguarding issues confidently.

Cllr Dr Kate Usmar, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Support and Independence, said:

"Everyone has the right to live safely, independently and with dignity. This strategy will help partners across Gloucestershire work together to prevent abuse and neglect, respond quickly to concerns, and put people's voices at the heart of safeguarding.

"By improving awareness, strengthening partnership working and learning from people's experiences, we can help create safer communities and better outcomes for adults at risk.”

If approved, the strategy will guide the work of safeguarding partners over the next three years, helping to ensure Gloucestershire remains committed to protecting adults at risk and promoting their wellbeing.

The council's Cabinet will discuss the proposal at its meeting on 22 July. You can read the Cabinet paper on the Gloucestershire County Council website.