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What is Safeguarding Adults?

What is Safeguarding Adults?

Safeguarding adults is the process of protecting vulnerable adults from harm. This includes abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Who is a vulnerable adult?

A vulnerable adult is someone who is aged 18 or over who is unable to safeguard their own welfare, or is unable to protect themselves from significant harm. This could be due to a range of reasons, including:

• Physical or mental illness

• Learning disability

• Substance misuse

• Age-related decline

Types of Abuse

There are several types of abuse that can affect vulnerable adults:

• Physical abuse: Any form of physical harm, including hitting, kicking, or pushing.

• Emotional abuse: Psychological or emotional harm, such as bullying, harassment, or threats.

• Sexual abuse: Any unwanted sexual act, including sexual assault or sexual exploitation.

• Financial abuse: Misuse or exploitation of a person's financial resources.

• Neglect: Failure to provide necessary care and support, leading to harm or suffering.

Signs of Abuse and Neglect

If you are concerned about someone, look for these signs:

• Unexplained injuries

• Sudden changes in behaviour

• Withdrawn or isolated

• Unkempt appearance

• Unusual financial transactions

• Reluctance to be alone with certain people

What to do if you suspect abuse

If you suspect that someone is being abused or neglected, you should report your concerns to the relevant authorities. This could be the police, social services, or the safeguarding team in your local authority.

It's important to remember that everyone has a role to play in safeguarding vulnerable adults. By being aware of the signs of abuse and neglect, and taking action when necessary, we can help to protect those who need our support.

We have discounted our Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults E-Learning course to help you create safer environments for vulnerable adults. It is 25% off with the discount code: SAFEGUARDINGADULTS25.