Safeguarding Adults

Last updated: 12/05/2020

“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility”

This involves people and organisations working together to stop abuse and neglect occurring, and intervening effectively in situations where there is risk of abuse or neglect, or abuse is seen as taking place.

The Care Act 2014 sets out a clear legal framework for how local authorities and other parts of the system should protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect.

So whether you are:

an adult with care and support needs
a family friend/relative/carer, or
someone who works with any of the above people

We hope the following pages will help you to understand your role and responsibilities to safeguarding and where you can get support if you are at risk of or experiencing abuse or neglect; or you are worried about someone’s safety and well-being.

What is safeguarding?

Abuse is anything that harms another person. It can occur in many forms, for example:

Physical abuse
Domestic Abuse
Sexual abuse
Psychological abuse
Financial or material abuse
Modern slavery
Discriminatory abuse
Organisational abuse
Neglect and acts of omission
Self-neglect

For more information about all these types of abuse, see main page, 'What is safeguarding?'.