Safeguarding Adults and Children

Safeguarding Adults

An adult at risk is someone who:

• Is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect,
• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs), and
• As a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

It is important to note:

• the use of the term ‘at risk’ means that actual abuse or neglect does not need to occur before practitioners intervene, rather early interventions to protect an adult at risk should be considered to prevent actual abuse and neglect;
• the three conditions necessary to demonstrate an adult is at risk of abuse or neglect ensures that protection is provided to those with care and support needs who also require actions to secure the individual’s safety in the future because they are unable to protect themselves;
• that the abuse of adults deemed to be ‘at risk’ is often linked to their circumstances rather than the characteristics of the people experiencing harm;
• risk of abuse or neglect may be the consequence of one concern or a result of cumulative factors.

Hidden Harms – Older Adults and Domestic Abuse (opens in a new tab)

Abuse

Can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial (includes theft, fraud, pressure about money, misuse of money) take place in any setting, whether in a private dwelling, an institution or any other place.

Neglect

This describes a failure to meet a person’s basic needs physical, emotional, social or psychological needs, which is likely to result in an impairment of the person’s well-being (for example, an impairment of the person’s health). It can take place in a range of settings, such as a private dwelling, residential or day care provision. Practitioners should be aware that the following behaviours could place the adult at risk of abuse or neglect:

• Violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV) this includes Female Genital Mutilation
• Modern Slavery
• Domestic abuse and violence against men
• Criminal exploitation

Self-Neglect

People who neglect themselves often decline help from others; in many cases they do not feel that they need it. Safeguarding duties will apply where the adult has care and support needs and they are at risk of self-neglect and they are unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs. In most cases, the intervention should seek to minimise the risk while respecting the individual’s choices. We will work with partners to ensure a strategy for good practice is in place.

It is important to note that this is NOT an exhaustive list. Rather, they are provided to offer some pointers that may alert to possible abuse or neglect in an adult.

If you or others have concerns about the welfare of a adult, you must report it immediately.   For information, advice or assistance please contact the Adult Safeguarding Team.

Contact us

Adult Safeguarding Team: 01437 776056

Social Services out of Hours: 0300 333 2222

Police

In an emergency ring 999
Non-emergency: 101

Other Useful Telephone Numbers / Links

NSPCC (opens in a new tab) - 0808 800 5000

Childline (opens in a new tab) - 0800 1111

Care Inspectorate Wales (opens in a new tab) - 0300 790 0126

Action on Elder Abuse (opens in a new tab) - 0808 808 8141

Age UK (opens in a new tab) - 0800 169 6565

Ann Craft Trust (opens in a new tab) - 0115 951 5400

Respond (opens in a new tab) - 0808 808 0700

Victim Support (opens in a new tab) - 0808 168 9111

Pobl (opens in a new tab) - 01646 698 820

Domestic Abuse / Live Fear Free / Welsh Women’s Aid / VAWDASV (opens in a new tab) - 0808 801 0800 

Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 (opens in a new tab)

Wales Safeguarding Procedures (opens in a new tab)

Dewis Cymru (opens in a new tab) is the place to go if you want information or advice about your well-being – or want to know how you can help somebody else.