Safeguarding adults

The Care Act 2014 provides the base for safeguarding adult boards.  It applies to any person aged 18 or above who:

• Has needs for care and support (regardless of the level of need and whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs).
• Is experiencing, or is at risk of abuse or neglect, and
• as a result of those needs, is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

An adult at risk is any person who is aged 18 years or over and at risk of abuse or neglect because of their needs for care and or support.

So an adult at risk may:

• be elderly and frail due to ill health, physical disability or cognitive impairment;
• have a learning disability;
• have a physical disability and/or a sensory impairment;
• have mental health needs including dementia or a personality disorder;
• have a long-term illness/condition;
• misuse substances or alcohol;
• be a carer such as a family member/friend who provides personal; assistance and care to adults and is subject to abuse; or
• be unable to demonstrate the capacity to make a decision and is in need of care and support.

Abuse and neglect can take many forms.  It includes

• Physical abuse - e.g. slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, physical restraint.
• Sexual abuse - e.g. rape or sexual acts an adult has not consented to
• Psychological abuse - e.g. emotional abuse, threats, humiliation, deprivation of contact
• Modern slavery
• Financial or material abuse - e.g. theft, fraud, exploitation, coercion in relation to an adults financial affairs.
• Neglect - e.g. ignoring medical or physical care needs, withholding medication.
• Self-neglect - e.g. neglecting to care for one's personal hygiene, health or surroundings including hoarding.
• Domestic violence
• Discriminatory abuse - e.g. on grounds of race, gender, disability etc
• Organisational abuse - e.g. neglect and poor care practice within an institution.