Safeguarding

Safeguarding adults and children

Everyone has the human right to live a life that is free from abuse and neglect. Safeguarding means protecting vulnerable adults and children who are at risk and need support, and is fundamental to ensuring high quality health and social care.

Safeguarding adults

Safeguarding means protecting vulnerable adults and children who are at risk and need support, and is fundamental to ensuring high quality health and social care.

Who is a vulnerable adult?

Abuse can affect anyone, but a vulnerable adult, broadly speaking, is someone who is over 18 years old who has, or may need, help with their everyday lives and who, because of those needs, is unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. This can include:

• disabled people who have physical or sensory impairments
  • people who have learning difficulties
  • people who experience mental ill health
  • older people
  • people who live in care homes
  • people with acquired brain damage
  • people who misuse substances

What is abuse?

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights. It may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It can be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act or omission to act, or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented, or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship.