Under ‘No Secrets’ (Department of Health/Home Office 2000) local authorities have the responsibility to coordinate a multi agency approach to safeguarding vulnerable adults.
In South Gloucestershire there is a multi agency partnership called the Safeguarding Adults Committee (SAC) which oversees the Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures and the multi agency Workforce Development Plan.
The Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures aim to safeguard all adults resident in South Gloucestershire aged 18 or over who are or may be eligible for community care services and whose independence and well-being would be at risk if they did not receive appropriate health and social care support.
This includes: adults with physical, sensory or learning disabilities and those with mental health problems. It also includes carers, family and friends who provide personal assistance and care on an unpaid basis.
What do we mean by abuse?
“Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons.” (‘No secrets’ Department of Health/Home Office 2000)
Abuse can be something that is done to a person or something not done when it should have been.
An act or an omission to act does not have to be intentional to be considered as abuse.
Abuse can be a single act or repeated acts.
Types of abuse
Physical
Including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, restraint or inappropriate sanctions.
Sexual
Including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, could not consent or was pressured into consenting.
Psychological
Including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
Financial or material
Including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
Neglect or acts of omission
Including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health care, social care, education services or misuse of medication, adequate nutrition or heating.
When any of the above take place in a domestic setting they can also be indicators of Domestic Violence, which is defined as “the use, attempt, or threat of violence, whether physical, emotional, sexual, mental or economic, within an intimate and/or family relationship. It reflects and reinforces inequalities of power within relationships and within society”
Discriminatory
Including racist, sexist or homophobic abuse, that based on a person’s impairment, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment. Some of these can also be Hate Crimes or Hate Incidents. Hate crime is defined as any offence, which is committed against a person or property that is perceived by the victim or any other person to have taken place because of their race, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins; religion; sexual orientation or disability.
Institutional abuse
This can sometimes happen in residential homes, nursing homes or hospitals when people are mistreated because of poor or inadequate care, neglect and poor practice that affects the whole of that service.
Any of these forms of abuse can be either deliberate or be the result of ignorance, or lack of training, knowledge or understanding. Often if a person is being abused in one way they are also being abused in other ways.
Who may be an abuser?
The person who is responsible for the abuse is often well known to the person abused and could be:
• Relatives and family members
• Professional staff
• Paid care workers
• Volunteers
• Other service users
• Neighbours
• Friends and associates, and
• Strangers
If you have concerns that an adult is being abused, do the right thing – report it using the number below.
Customer Service Desk - 01454 868007
If the situation requires an immediate response, i.e. there is an incident taking place or an immediate threat of a crime contact the police on 999
To report a crime where there is no immediate risk call the police on 0845 456 7000
What happens next?
Safeguarding Adult concerns will be given a high priority by Community Care and Housing (CC&H).
CC&H has a duty to coordinate the interagency response to safeguarding adult concerns and will consult with CQC, the Police and other agencies as appropriate. If an investigation is required a strategy meeting or discussion will be convened to decide who does what, by when and who they should report to.
A Team or District Manager will be responsible for coordinating the investigation.
The coordination of Safeguarding Adult investigations is the responsibility of the local authority where the abuse is alleged to have taken place.
A direct link to the Department of Health Guidance can be found in the 'other websites' box on this page.