Safeguarding adults (vulnerable adults )

A vulnerable adult is a person over the age of eighteen who may not be able to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation and this may be due to age, illness or lifestyle.

Vulnerable adults are at risk of a variety of forms of abuse and neglect, a majority of which goes unreported. They may have difficulties in expressing feelings or making their wishes known, making them more susceptible to abuse.

This is not just a local issue but a national one

Most people will have heard about child abuse and child protection but may have not heard about the abuse of vulnerable adults such as the elderly, adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems.

Some of you may have heard the term protection of vulnerable adults, but this has changed nationally and the term safeguarding is now used for both adults and children.

All adults should be able to live free from fear and harm and have their rights and choices respected

In Bury, we are enforcing our responsibility to safeguard vulnerable adults by developing a zero tolerance approach to abuse. Partner agencies across the borough are working together and have adopted joint procedures to ensure when suspected abuse is reported appropriate action is taken.

Working in partnership we and have launched multi agency policy and procedures with Greater Manchester Police, NHS Bury, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Greater Manchester West Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust, Bury Probation Service and Six Town Housing.

Be aware... abuse can take many forms:

• Physical Abuse - hitting, punching, kicking, slapping;
• Sexual Abuse - kissing, unwanted touching, carrying out sexual acts;
• Psychological Abuse - intimidation, isolation, humiliation, harassment;
• Financial Abuse - theft, fraud, misuse of money by someone who is trusted; and
• Neglect - the needs of a dependent person are not met;
• Anyone can be an abuser - relative, volunteer, paid staff that provide care and services, neighbours and strangers.
• Abuse can take place anywhere - at home, in a public place, day centres, in a care / nursing home.

If you suspect abuse is happening - report It

You may be worried about an adult because of what you have seen, or heard or been told. If this makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy about the care of an adult you need to seek some further advice. You can download a 'Safeguarding alert' form to complete in the downloads on the right or if you prefer to speak to someone please see the contact details below.

Contacts

Customer Contact Centre  to make a referral to Bury Adult Care Services see details in the 'Contact us' on the right.

If you feel the problem is very serious and warrants immediate action (for example if a person is in imminent risk of harm) you should contact the police.

Greater Manchester Police
0161 872 5050.

Emergency services
999.

Care Homes and other agencies

If you are reporting a Safeguarding Alert, please use the Safeguarding Alert form in the links on the right. Each alert must be completed on a separate form, and in block capitals where appropriate. The forms can then be returned to Adult Care Services via email [link on the right].

Safeguarding policy

Bury has a Multi Agency Policy and Procedure relating to safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse which is in the downloads on the right as well as other documents pertaining to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.

Disability hate crime

There is a new support service for disabled people in Greater Manchester who have experienced hate crime - please click on the link on the right 'Breakthrough UK' for more information.

Social Care Institute for Excellence

The Social Care Institute for Excellence has videos on the topic of safeguarding adults, to view these click on the link on the right.

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