HSAB Business Unit
The HSAB is supported by a dedicated support unit to ensure multi-agency activity to enhance safeguarding and outcomes for adults in Harrow are achieved, ensuring that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities regarding safeguarding through training, learning and local resources. All staff can be contacted via the central inbox – hsab@harrow.gov.uk
Our Business Unit is funded through partnership contributions. Partners contributions to the Board are from the Harrow Council, the ICB, the Police and other partners with income and expenditure reported in the Annual Report, but everything we do is done in partnership with colleagues from social care, health, police, community safety, the voluntary sector and others.
Our Chair, Lesley Hutchinson, is independent which helps to ensure the Board has independent scrutiny and challenge.
Lesley Hutchinson has over 30 years of experience in both Children’s and Adults’ health and social care services. Throughout her career, she has worked across the voluntary, community, and statutory sectors, gaining diverse insights into the challenges and opportunities within these areas. In addition to her sector-based experience, Lesley has also served as a teaching fellow at an academic institution, sharing her knowledge and expertise with the next generation of professionals.
For the past 15 years, Lesley has held senior leadership positions and is a qualified social worker. In her current roles, she chairs several safeguarding adult boards, guiding and overseeing critical safeguarding initiatives. She is also an associate for the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, further demonstrating her deep involvement in the sector. Additionally, she serves as a trustee for a national learning disability organisation.
Lesley is passionate about safeguarding and community safety. She works tirelessly to ensure better outcomes for individuals and carers in need of support, focusing on transformational change and practice improvements.