Safeguarding Adults Week 2025

Episode 1/4 - Safeguarding and Assisted Dying with Ian Brownhill and John Robinshon

In the first episode for 2025, 39 Essex Chambers' Barrister Ian Brownhill talks to John Robinson is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Palliative Care, based at Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group, Perth, Western Australia.

John was previously employed as the Voluntary Assisted Dying Coordinator for the South Metropolitan Health Service area of Perth for two years from its commencement, supporting more than 250 people and their families through the VAD process.

John explains how Voluntary Assisted Dying works in Western Australia and what safeguards are built into the process. Through their conversation, John and Ian explore what can be learnt from systems around the world when it comes to discussing the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in England and Wales.

Episode 2/4 - Legal Literacy in Financial Abuse Cases with Ian Brownhill and Francesca Gardner
 

39 Essex Chambers' Barristers Francesca Gardner and Ian Brownhill demystify the legal framework in respect of financial abuse. Francesca and Ian explain what the statutory definition of financial abuse is and how the statutory language includes matters which are criminal offences.
 

Francesca and Ian clarify that financial abuse isn’t just something that happens within families but can include people who are in positions of trust, even lawyers who are providing services. They shed light on the fact that there is no monetary threshold before something is considered financial abuse.
 

Having explained what financial abuse is, the barristers set out to provide a practical explanation of various different legal concepts from attorneys, deputies, appointees and what next of kin actually means.
 

Francesca and Ian talk about how capacity assessments in respect of property and affairs ought to be completed, duties when financial abuse is identified and the role of the Public Guardian.
 

Episode 3/4 - Getting People to Hospital with Ian Brownhill and Francesca Gardner

In another practical episode, 39 Essex Chambers' Barristers Ian Brownhill and Francesca Gardner explain the various scenarios where a person needs to be taken to hospital and how it is done legally, even if they are objecting to it, or a relative is obstructing their conveyance.

Francesca explains how orders can be made for children under the Children Act 1989 and Ian explains various power to enter a person’s home with and without the authority of a court.

Francesca and Ian explain how the Court of Protection will become involved in respect of adults who can’t make decisions in respect of their conveyance to hospital and remind listeners about the need to consider ceilings of care and advance decisions to refuse treatment.

The barristers explain how the court will approach questions as to chemical restraint and the practical implications of when permission is sought to use it. Finally, there is discussion as to section 135 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the availability of Adult Protection and Support Orders in Wales.
 

Episode 4/4 - Safeguarding and Contractual Issues with Katherine Apps KC

 

In this fourth episode for 2025, 39 Essex Chambers’ Barristers Katherine Apps KC, and Francesca Gardner discuss Safeguarding in the context of contractual issues and disputes.
 

Katherine explains the various ways and circumstances that contractual issues arise in the safeguarding context, and explores some of the wider and more complex issues for practitioners to be aware of.
 

The session covers a wide range of topics including: express contractual duties, implied terms, termination, the impact of statutory duties, interim relief, whether a case is suitable for Judicial Review or will instead progress in the Civil Courts, the potential impact of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 and some of the recent case law. The session also explores the practical lessons to be learned from the case law in these areas.
 

This is a fascinating session, and a perfect way to conclude this year’s series of podcasts to mark Safeguarding Adults Week 2025.