Golden Lane Housing (GLH), today launches our safeguarding approach, It matters that has been developed with the help of our tenants.

People with a learning disability are some of the most vulnerable in society. Following the introduction of the Care Act 2014, housing providers are one of the lead organisations to play a fundamental role in safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse.

We believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to raise their concerns if they think a tenant is at risk of abuse and we’re taking this opportunity to raise awareness.

GLH has developed It matters with the support of our tenants. The designated safeguarding lead and deputy provide guidance and support to staff to help them raise their concerns to the local authority and they ensure the safeguarding approach meets the needs of our tenants. The expansion of GLH’s awarding winning in-house repairs team across the whole of England has further increased the number of staff building relationships and trust with tenants.

Meet GLH tenant, June

Golden Lane Housing helped June explains how GLH helped her, “I am so pleased – my housing officer, Joanna really supported me to keep my home and not give in to the bullying neighbour. I can get on with my life now.”

GLH works closely with tenants and their families and carers, support providers, safeguarding adult boards, community police officers and key members of adult social care. We are also part of Mencap’s Safeguarding Panel who oversee our responsibilities.

Rod Dugher, head of housing and safeguarding lead at GLH said, “Helping to keep tenants safe is important to GLH. We’ve developed and implemented our safeguarding approach It matters over a period of time with the help of our tenants. New processes are in place; staff have received training and given tools to help support our tenants. We’ve produced an easy-read booklet for tenants that provides information about abuse and how to report it and get help. Our housing officers are discussing It matters with tenants during visits to their home and people can call the helpline.”

John Cowman, director of services at Mencap explains, “To ensure that vulnerable adults are protected from harm and abuse we work closely with our partners to safeguard the people we support. Golden Lane Housing have been at the forefront of our work with us and have contributed greatly to our agenda. They have often raised important issues with us and have helped to implement joint work plans though their own teams. I believe they are an exemplar housing provider and landlord when it comes to keeping people with a learning disability safe in their homes.”

Want to know more?

• Read more about It matters on our website
• You can read It matters – Our approach to help keep our tenants safe
• You can read our easy-read booklet for tenants It matters – How we help to keep you safe