This report is hosted with permission.

The Waitematā Safeguarding Adults from Abuse (SAFA) Pilot is a Waitematā Police and Waitematā District Health Board (WDHB) initiative to reduce family harm and other forms of abuse, neglect and harm experienced by vulnerable adults. The term ‘vulnerable adults’ refers to those individuals who have complex care and support needs and are experiencing, or are at risk, of experiencing harm, abuse or neglect. These adults are identified as vulnerable and in need of ‘safeguarding,’ as their care and support needs mean they are not able to protect themselves or remove themselves from unsafe situations.

The SAFA Pilot ran from July to December, 2016. In September 2016, Waitematā Police engaged Synergia to provide an independent rapid review of the SAFA Pilot to identify its key outcomes, opportunities for improvement and considerations for future implementation of SAFA by the Police. The review was funded by the Waitematā Police and involved an analysis of data collected during the Pilot and interviews with key stakeholders involved in the Pilot. This report summarises the key findings of Synergia’s rapid review. (From the introduction). Record #5512