Safeguarding means protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of adults at risk, enabling them to live safely, free from abuse and neglect.

What do acts of omission or neglect mean?

• ignoring medical, physical or emotional care needs
• Failing to provide vulnerable person with access to health, care and support or educational services
• Withholding necessities of life, such as food, medication and heating
• Self-neglect (this can cover a wide range of behaviour such as neglecting your personal hygiene, health or surroundings, and can include behaviours such as hoarding)

Abuse can happen anywhere, including in the home. An important consideration particularly in the context of COVID-19 government guidelines and the population advised to stay indoors.

Abuser's can be…

• Relatives and family members
• Professional staff
• Paid care workers
• Volunteers
• Other services users
• Neighbours
• Friends & associates
• People who deliberately exploit others
• Strangers

Abusers, essentially can be anyone, including people in positions of power and trust.

If you are concern about the wellbeing of an adult, please inform it direct to social care services or the police 999 without delay. Please access here to find contact details to organisations that can help. Please download here an example of Safeguarding Record Sheet. 

What should I do if I suspect someone is being abused?

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