Safeguarding Adults
Every day abuse of adults at risk goes unreported. Safeguarding adults means that local authorities, police and NHS agencies involved with adults who might be at risk of abuse have a duty of care to ensure that procedures are in place, that encourage reporting of suspected abuse and take action to stop the abuse.
What is abuse?
Abuse occurs when someone’s human and civil rights are violated by someone else. This can be:
a single or series of actions of abuse
deliberately or unknowingly causing harm
failure to protect people from abuse
Who Abuses?
Anyone can abuse, it can be family members, parents, carers, spouse, friends, care workers or it could be someone else that we least expect such as a neighbour, a health professional or someone we do not know.
spouse or partner
carers and care workers
family member/relative
friend or neighbour
volunteer helper
someone not known to the person
Who is at risk of abuse?
Children and adults with care and support needs are more likely to be at risk of abuse. Adults can be at risk because of a number of reasons. They may:
be getting older
have a physical or learning disability, or have trouble seeing or hearing
not have enough support
have mental health problems
be socially isolated
live in inappropriate accommodation
misuse alcohol or drugs
have financial circumstances which make them higher risk.
Things to look out for:
possible changes in the person's behaviour or mood/personality
unexplained injury or a series of injuries
signs of fear or distress
signs of neglect
theft, fraud or unexplained financial worries
Where does abuse happen?
Abuse could happen in the home, outdoors or in a public place in the local community. Abuse can happen in Residential care homes, in hospital, in GP surgery, at College, At university, in a health centre or at the day centre that you go to.
Types of Abuse
Physical Abuse
Deliberately hurting an adult, causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns or cuts, or otherwise causing harm. It could also be when a carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness, or misuses medication.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is the theft or misuse of money, property or personal belongings, taken without consent or under pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance.
Neglect
Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet basic needs. The individual may be left hungry or dirty, without clothing, shelter, supervision, medical or health care, and access to aids and equipment. They may not get the love, care and attention they need.
Organisational Abuse
Organisational abuse is where poor working practices in care homes or hospitals cause mistreatment by repeated poor or inadequate care, which violates a person's dignity and human rights.
Modern Slavery
Modern Slavery is where an individual is exploited, forced to work, or sold. It involves the recruitment and movement of individuals using threats, deception and coercion for the purpose of exploitation. Modern Slavery can take many forms.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is any sexual activity where a person has been forced or persuaded to take part or doesn't understand.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is any type of violence - or other abuse - that is present in close relationships. For example, it could be between husband and wife; mother/father and their son/daughter; siblings; boyfriend and girlfriend; partner or ex-partner.
Discriminatory Abuse
Discriminatory abuse is where an individual is treated differently because of ethnicity, culture, sexuality, gender, age or disability.
What next?
When you report suspected abuse, you do not have to give your name, but if you do, it will not be given to the people involved.
All suspected incidents of abuse will be investigated fully and appropriately.