- Everybody has the right to live their life free from violence, fear and abuse.
- Everybody has the right to live in safety.
You have these rights especially if you are disabled, ill or an older person. A vulnerable adult is someone who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.
Abuse is when someone does or says something to you which harms you and makes you upset and scared. You may be afraid and do not know how to get the help you need. Abuse can be a single act or continue over months or even years. It can be accidental or deliberate. Just because there is no injury doesn’t mean there is no
abuse.
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 Board(SAB) 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.
A direct link to the Department of Health Guidance can be found in the 'other websites' box on this page.