What is Adult Safeguarding
Adult Safeguarding means protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and harm. It is making sure that the adult's wellbeing is supported and their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs are respected when agreeing on any action.
It is also about preventing and responding to concerns of abuse, harm or neglect of adults. As well as, about people and organisations working together to prevent and reduce both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect.
What is considered a safeguarding concern
Abuse or neglect can come from anyone, including family members, friends or professionals.
It can include:
- physical abuse
- domestic or sexual abuse
- neglect
- someone not looking after themselves (self neglect)
- psychological or emotional abuse (bullying someone or making them feel scared)
- forcing someone to work (modern slavery)
- taking over their home to use it for crimes such as drug dealing (cuckooing)
- financial abuse
- discriminatory abuse
Find out more about the different types of abuse and neglect and how to recognise signs here.