New Independent Chair of the Torbay Safeguarding Adult Board

Published: 19 May 2016

Julie Foster

We are delighted to introduce the newly appointed Independent Chair of the Torbay Safeguarding Adult Board (TSAB), Julie Foster, who joined the Board in April 2016.

Julie Foster said: “I was very pleased to be offered the privilege of becoming the Independent Chair of the Torbay Safeguarding Adult Board. It is a great honour and, for me, the culmination of a career working in health and social care. I started out as a social worker in London nearly 40 years ago and since then I have worked in numerous different settings and roles, with Safeguarding Adults running as a thread through all of them. I retired from my full time role in Senior Management last year and have been enjoying combining freelance work with spending time with my family.

“I am committed to making this world a better place for everyone, but especially those people who cannot look after themselves or keep themselves safe. We all know what it is like to be in a situation which is out of our control and where we feel vulnerable. How must it feel to be an old person, unable to move far or fast, dependent on other people for all their needs? How must it feel if people meant to be caring for us ignore us when we ask for help with our basic personal needs, and shout or even hit us? Sometimes, it is seemingly small things like placing a cup just out of reach. There should be no place for behaviour like this in Torbay, but sadly we know it happens all too often.

“My dream is to eradicate abuse and neglect against adults in Torbay. The Board is already working well and has a plan in place. I want to tell everyone about this plan so everyone can keep a look out for signs of abuse and help do something about it. Prevention is better than cure so everyone needs to know how they can protect themselves and their loved ones against exploitation and harm. Don’t leave it to someone else!

“I am looking forward to taking Safeguarding Adults in Torbay to a new level where everyone plays their part in protecting adults who are at risk. Organisations like the Police, NHS and Social Services all work hard but we need eyes and ears everywhere to make this dream come true!”