What is Adult Safeguarding?

Who might need Safeguarding? 

Safeguarding is for any adult who appears to have care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect and cannot protect themselves from this because of their care and support needs. 

What are care and support needs? 

Care and support needs can include a physical or learning disability, mental health needs, or illness. Somebody with care and support needs may or may not be in receipt of services, but this should not affect their access to Safeguarding support.

What is abuse and neglect? 

There are many different types of abuse and neglect. You can find out a bit about each type below. 

• Neglect and acts of omission happens when a person who has care needs relies on someone else for specific things, which fail to happen. This can be intentional or unintentional.
• Self-neglect occurs when a person is living in a way that puts their health, safety, or wellbeing at risk.
• Physical abuse is the act of causing physical harm to someone else.
• Sexual abuse happens when an adult is forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities when they do not, or cannot, consent to this.
• Psychological or emotional abuse involves ongoing psychological or emotional mistreatment.
• Financial or material abuse is the unauthorised or improper use of funds, property, or any resources.
• Organisational abuse is when neglect or poor professional practice occurs due to the structure, policies, processes, or practices within an organisation.
• Discriminatory abuse is the ill-treatment experienced by people based on age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
• Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. It covers a wide range of abuse and exploitation including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour and criminal exploitation.
• Domestic abuse is any abuse by people aged 16 or over who are personally connected.

What happens next? 

Once you have reported your concerns to your local Adult Social Care department, they will decide whether a safeguarding enquiry needs to be undertaken.  

Adult Social Care will want to know what the adult wants to happen in relation to the reported concern. This might include: stopping the abuse or neglect; having help to feel safe; accessing support with recovery; knowing where to find help in the future; receiving an apology; or having support from the Police if a crime has been committed. 

There may be other actions that can be undertaken instead of safeguarding such as health or care support.