Protecting vulnerable adults in Staffordshire from abuse and neglect
Report abuse
Who is vulnerable?
A vulnerable adult can be anyone over the age of 18, who has a physical or sensory impairment, learning disability or a mental health problem and who may be unable to protect themselves from harm or abuse. Many frail or confused older people are especially vulnerable.
Where does abuse occur?
Abuse can happen in many different settings:
- someone's own home;
- in a care home;
- in a hospital;
- in a day centre; or
- in a public place.
Who may be an abuser?
Abuse is carried out by many different people, but it's usually someone who is known and trusted. It may be:
- a family member;
- a neighbour;
- a care worker or volunteer;
- a friend, or
- anyone with access to the person.
Why you must report it?
Abuse comes in many forms and more than one type of abuse may be happening at the same time.
You may be worried about the consequences of reporting abuse.
The person concerned may not be able to report the abuse
themselves and may rely on you to voice your concerns. You will be offered advice and support.
You must never assume that somebody else will recognise and report what you have seen or heard.
What will happen next?
What happens next depends on the wishes of the person and the seriousness of the situation.
In response to your call, trained staff will carry out a careful and sensitive enquiry in line with locally agreed procedures.
Information and advice will be offered so that the person and their family can make an informed choice about any practical help they need or action they wish to take.
If they are unable to make an informed choice, care will be taken to support and protect them and do what is best for them.
Staffordshire and Stoke on
Trent Adult Safeguarding Partnership
The
Partnership brings together lead officers from all agencies
concerned with the wellbeing and protection of vulnerable adults.
By having contact between agencies it promotes the development of strategies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults.
Once reported the concern will be investigated in line with the 
Inter-agency Adult Protection Procedures Sept 2010 (Word, 2.43 MB). Investigations will normally be co-ordinated by Social Care Services but may be led by the Police, or by the Care Quality Commission services registered under the Care Standards Act 2000).
Other useful documents are attached below.
Results of safeguarding consultation 2009 (PDF)
Safeguarding Adults Newsletter May 2010 (Word, 986kb)
Counselling Services, Information Sheet (Word, 304kb)
Adult Protection Referral Form (AP1) use this template if you want to complete the AP1 electronically (Word, 170kb)
Adult Protection Referral Form (AP1) use this form if you want to complete the form by hand. This version cannot be completed electronically (Word, 286kb)
"Staffordshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites linked from this page."
Last Modified:
02/09/2010 14:30:54
Back to top