What is Adult Abuse?

Abuse is mistreatment by any other person or persons that violates a person’s human and civil rights. The abuse can vary from treating someone with disrespect in a way which significantly affects the person’s quality of life, to causing actual physical suffering.

Abuse can happen anywhere – at home, in a residential or nursing home, a hospital, in the workplace, at a day centre or educational establishment, in supported housing, in the street, on line.

What Does Safeguarding Mean?

Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action.

What Should you do if you are Concerned that Someone is Being Abused or is at Risk of Abuse?

• Act – don’t assume that someone else is doing something about the situation

Doing nothing is not an option!

• If anyone is injured get a doctor or ambulance
• If you think a criminal offence has been committed call the Police on 999
• Speak to your manager as soon as possible. If you think no action has been taken, escalate to a more senior manager. If you are still concerned follow your Whistleblowing Policy. You should always follow your local safeguarding procedures. Ask your manager if you aren’t sure what they are

Make a note of your concerns, what happened and any action you take so that you can tell your manager. Think about Who? (Is involved) What (Has happened) Where (Where did it take Place). Be careful what you write in the visit log as this may be seen by others.

What are the Types of Abuse?

The Care Act 2014 defines the different types of abuse. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list but a guide to the sort of behaviour which could trigger a safeguarding concern: