Protection of vulnerable adults

The following information aims to help you recognise abuse and know what to do should you be concerned that a vulnerable adult you know is being abused.

Who is a vulnerable adult?

A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 or over who is or may be in need of community care services because of disability, age or illness, and who:

is or may be unable to take care of themselves, or
is unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation.

Vulnerable adults could include older people, people with a visual or hearing impairment, physical disability, learning disabilities or mental health problem, and people living with HIV or AIDS.

What is abuse?

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons. It may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be planned or unplanned. It may be the result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance. It may happen when a vulnerable adult is persuaded to enter into a transaction to which they have not consented or cannot consent.

Abuse can take many forms:

physical abuse - for example, hitting, pushing, shaking, over medicating or otherwise causing physical harm
sexual abuse - for example, unwanted touching, kissing or sexual activity. Or where the vulnerable adult cannot or does not give their consent
emotional abuse - including verbal abuse, humiliation, bullying or the use of threats.
financial abuse - the illegal or improper use of a person’s money, property, pension book, bank account or other belongings.
neglect - the repeated deprivation of help that a vulnerable adult needs which, if withdrawn, will cause him or her to suffer.
discriminatory abuse - Including racist or sexist abuse, and abuse based on a person's disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

Where can abuse happen?

Abuse can take place in any setting:

in your own home
in someone else’s home (relatives or friend)
in a residential or nursing home
in a day centre, adult education centre or other establishment
in a hospital or GP surgery
at work
in a public place.

Who abuses?

The person responsible for the abuse is often well known to the adult being abused. They may be:

a relative, friend or neighbour
a paid or volunteer carer.
a professional worker
another resident or service user
an occasional visitor or service provider

What should you do?

If you know of a worrying situation, please do not ignore it. You should:

contact your local adult social services office
contact the police or call an ambulance (999) if the person is in immediate danger, or needs medical treatment.

What you should not do

do not confront the person you think is responsible for the abuse
do not destroy the evidence
do not start to investigate the situation.

What will happen next?

What happens next will depend on the wishes of the person and the seriousness of the situation. If they are in physical danger, ensuring their safety will be most important.

In response to your referral, trained staff will carry out a careful and sensitive enquiry. Information and advice will be offered so that the person and their family can make an informed choice, care will be taken to support and protect them.

Publications

Safeguarding adults from abuse in Barnet (Easy Read booklet) (PDF: 1.2MB) is about the different kinds of abuse and how to report abuse.
Multi-Agency Adult Protection Policy and Procedures (full version) (PDF: 460KB)

Want a printed copy posted to your address?

Please contact:

Tel: 020 8359 4579 (Information Officer) or 5470 (Safeguarding Adults Coordinator)
Email: adultsocialservices@barnet.gov.uk

Comments, Compliments and Complaints

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