Safeguarding Adults

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults From Abuse

The following information explains how we work with other agencies to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.

Do you suspect a neighbour; friend or member of your family is being abused? Or are you being abused?

Please help us to prevent adult abuse; you can do this by contacting us or the Police at any time of the day or night on any day of the year.

Please read on - this is very important information and will help us to prevent adult abuse. There is a growing number of incidents of adult abuse, many of which are not reported. Therefore there is a need for all of us to help prevent adult abuse by doing something about this. In County Durham we have produced a Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure.

Policy and Procedures

Find out more about Safeguarding Adults policy and procedures.

What do we mean by a 'vulnerable adult'?

A vulnerable adult is a person who is in need of community care services because of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation.

What is abuse?

Abuse can include:

Physical Abuse - hitting, smacking, nipping, force feeding, biting.
Psychological Abuse - verbal abuse, threats to harm, humiliation, intimidation.
Sexual Abuse - rape, sexual assault, not consenting to sexual activities.
Financial Abuse - theft, fraud.
Neglect - lack of physical care.
Discriminatory Abuse - swearing and name-calling which involve racist remarks or those about a person's disability.
Institutional Abuse - needs trivialised or ignored within an institution, e.g. care home, day centre, hospital.
Domestic violence.

How do you recognise abuse?

There is no easy way to identify signs of abuse. The abuse may result in a number of changes in the way the person acts and looks, for example, they may become withdrawn, or unhappy, they may have marks or bruising on their body, or they may appear neglected.

How We Work Together to Protect Vulnerable Adults from Abuse

We work to a set of principles which involve working together in order to:

Promote the well being of vulnerable adults by providing them with the services they require.
Support the rights of the person to make their own choices and to help them to minimise any risks to themselves.
Ensure the safety of vulnerable adults and the protection of the law.
Receive help to retain an independent lifestyle.

In what circumstances might abuse occur?

Abuse can happen anywhere. It may occur:

When a person lives alone or with a relative.
In nursing, residential or day care settings.
In hospital.
While in police custody or prison.
From people helping you in your own home.
In a public place.

What will happen after you have reported your concerns?

We will treat every report seriously and we will keep you informed of the outcome (subject to the vulnerable person's right to confidentiality). You will also receive any help and support you may need as a result of reporting your concerns. We will make sure that if you are the vulnerable adult that you are not in any immediate danger. We will work with you to find out what the best course of action is for you.

Helping You have Your Say

You may wish to have a friend, or family member to speak on your behalf, or we can try to appoint an advocate (independent person) for you.

The Way We manage Adult Protection

In County Durham we have a Safeguarding Adults Board, which includes representatives from various organisations including Police, Health and District Councils. Our Board is required to review and monitor our Policy and Procedures to ensure we are doing our best to safeguard vulnerable adults from abuse.

This business plan sets out our priorities for developing the work of the partnership in order to meet our responsibilities to safeguarding adults in the county. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.

PDF Icon Safeguarding Adults Board Business Plan 2007-2008.pdf (55 pages, 2696kb)

Who do I contact?

Contact either Adult Care Services or the Police and tell the person answering the telephone that you want to report a suspected case of adult abuse.

Durham County Adult Social Care Services:
Tel: 0845 8505010
textphone (Minicom) 01429 884124
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year)

Durham Constabulary:
Tel: 0845 6060365
Textphone (Minicom) 0191 3752090
Or in emergency ring 999