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Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to the Care Quality Commission report ‘Promoting Sexual Safety Through Empowerment’ 

“Councils take allegations of abuse extremely seriously and work with local partners including health and care services both to prevent abuse and to ensure the wellbeing of anyone who has been affected.

“This helpful report gives greater guidance to councils as community leaders and as commissioners, as well as to social care providers, about how to make sure people who use care and support services are able to develop and maintain relationships, to express their sexuality and to feel that they will receive the right response if they ever raise any concerns about not feeling safe.

“Everyone working in social care and support has a responsibility to ensure that people who use adult social care services are able to live the lives they want to lead, either in their own home or in residential or nursing care. Being able to express one’s sexuality is fundamental to this and a culture of openness both supports that right and can help protect people from harm or abuse.”

Build a culture that supports people's sexual needs and keeps them safe from harm, says new report