Safeguarding Adults
Safeguarding Adults
It is the duty of all statutory and voluntary organisations to promote safeguarding of vulnerable people, take steps to reduce risks of abuse of those who might be vulnerable and to act when abuse has taken place.
Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering is one of the partner organisations working with Adult Social Services to protect older people who are at risk of abuse and we have our own Older People’s Safeguarding Forum which meets 4 times a year.
What is a Vulnerable Older Person?
A vulnerable older adult at risk may be someone who is in need of care and support because of disability, illness or frailty and as a result may be unable to protect themselves from the risk of or experience of abuse or neglect.
Who abuses and where does it happen?
Abuse can happen anywhere – in someone’s home, a care home, at work, or in hospital. Anyone can act in a way that is abusive.
What is Abuse?
Abuse is something that harms a person in some way. It can be:
- Physical
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual
- Psychological
- Financial
- Discriminatory.
- Organisational
- Neglect and acts of omission
- Self- neglect
Additionally, since January 2018, all partners in Redbridge who work to keep people safe from harm and abuse have agreed a protocol (link below) to support clients who neglect their own care or who may be hoarders. If you have concerns about a relative or neighbour who is neglecting their personal care or their home is full of rubbish to a dangerous degree, have a look at the document below (self -neglect and hoarding protocol) and with the client’s permission refer them to the Local Authority for support. Or you can talk to us on: 020 8220 6000 about your concerns.
If you are being abused you should tell someone you trust. You can report to us at Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering on 020 8220 6000 Mon-Fri 9am-3pm or contact Social Services Safeguarding Team 0n: 020 8708 7333 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or 020 8554 5000 for evenings and weekends. If you have concerns about someone else, find out what you can do to help, they may want you to report the concern for them.
If you are caring for someone in difficult circumstances, get help early from Social Services or a Carer’s organisation such as Redbridge Carers Support Services.
For more information see the links below. The leaflet will explain what happens with your concerns when you report it.
If you are interested in joining our Safeguarding Adults Network Forum, please call us on: 020 8220 6000 and ask to speak to a member of the Senior Management team.