Safeguarding is about helping to keep residents safe and well. All Cornerstone colleagues and contractors are trained to spot signs that someone may need extra support and to raise concerns when needed.
During the year, we opened 49 safeguarding cases and made 41 referrals to Devon County Council. We also made four referrals relating to domestic abuse to specialist support services. The most common concerns involved hoarding, fire safety, damp and mould, mental health, domestic abuse and the condition of residents’ homes.
We identified and supported more residents than in previous years. We believe this reflects greater awareness of safeguarding issues, better reporting and improved recording of concerns, helping us provide support sooner when people need it.
We continue to work closely with organisations including Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, local authorities and the police to support residents and manage complex situations. During the year, we opened 26 complex cases involving issues such as damp and mould, fire risk, hoarding, poor property condition and access to homes for essential safety checks.
We recognise that residents may need additional support from time to time. By working closely with partner agencies, we can make sure residents receive the right support at the right time and help keep people safe in their homes.
Lisa Harber Housing and Customer Engagement Manager
