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Protection Of Vulnerable Adults

Have you or anyone you know been harmed or mistreated?  This is called abuse.

This may happen anywhere, for example, in your own home, in a day centre, hospital or residential setting.  A vulnerable adult is someone who may need help or support.  There are many ways a vulnerable adult can be abused.  Some ways are physical, sexual, emotional, financial and neglect.

Abuse can be a single act or repeated acts.  It may be deliberate, accidental or a failure to do something.  The South East Wales Group for the protection of vulnerable adults has developed a policy to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.  The Group are a partnership between agencies from health, social services, police and voluntary agencies.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council are committed to this policy and to protecting vulnerable adults from abuse.  If you do have concerns that you or someone you know is being abused please contact Social Services.  Trained staff will sensitively deal with your call.  If the person is in immediate danger, ensure they are safe, call emergency services.  If you think a crime might have taken place, ring the police and be careful not to remove or destroy any evidence.  The Human Rights Act tells us that all individuals have the right to live free from the fear of harm.

Who Is A Vulnerable Adult?

A vulnerable adult is a person 18 years old or over who:

• is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and
• is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or is unable to protect him or herself from significant harm or serious exploitation.

This definition of a vulnerable adult may include a person who:

• has a physical disability; including people who are physically frail or have a chronic illness;
• has a mental illness, including dementia;
• has a learning disability;
• is old and frail;
• misuses drugs or alcohol;
• has social or emotional problems, or whose behaviour challenges services.

What Constitutes Abuse?

Abuse can be the result of an action or the failure to act in an appropriate manner.  It may consist of a single act or repeated acts, and can occur in any relationship – personal, professional or institutional.

The most common types of abuse are:

• Physical Abuse – including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, undue restraint or inappropriate sanctions.
• Neglect – includes failure to access medical care or services, failure to give prescribed medication, poor nutrition or lack of heating.
• Financial Abuse – includes theft, fraud, pressure around wills, property or inheritance, misuse or misappropriation of benefits.
• Sexual Abuse – includes rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not or could not consent and/or was pressured into consenting.
• Psychological Abuse – includes threats of harm or abandonment, humiliation, verbal or racial abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
• Institutional Abuse – includes isolated or repeated unacceptable and unprofessional acts, behaviours and practices, including pervasive ill treatment, violation of rights and duty of care.

The abuse can be by anyone – a relative, friend, paid worker or volunteer.

What Will Happen If I Report Abuse?

Social Services will arrange an investigation in line with the procedures established by the South East Wales Adult Protection Policy.  This may involve several agencies e.g. health services, police.  Action will then be taken to ensure the vulnerable adult is protected in the future.

What If I Am Mistaken And There Is No Abuse Taking Place?

If you are not sure, it is better to have discussed your concerns with somebody who has the experience and responsibility to make an informed assessment then to ignore a situation which may result in someone vulnerable being harmed.

Reporting Abuse

If you are in a care home, health centre, day services, hospital or a similar place, you should go to see the person in charge, unless you suspect them of, or collusion with, the abuse.  If this is the case, contact Social Services.  Your employer should have a whistle-blowing policy.  The person in charge is responsible for reporting adult protection concerns to the appropriate agency.

If you live in your own home, or your family home, contact Social Services.  You do not have to say who you are, but if you don’t this may make it more difficult for us to investigate and protect you or the person being abused.