• A person has needs for care and support
• Is experiencing, or at risk of abuse and or neglect; and
• As a result of their care and support needs, is unable to protect him or her-self against the abuse or neglect, or the risk of it.

This coordinated response ensures that an adult at risk remains in control of the decision making, and that there is a common understanding of the risks and the necessary steps to ensure safety and enhanced wellbeing.  It can work in conjunction with other supports such as advocacy and supported decision making.  The goal is to assist people to feel and be safe, retain independence and increase resilience and wellbeing.

If you know someone who is at risk of harm, neglect or abuse within the community you are able to make a referral to SVAT for support and guidance. 

Safeguarding is everybody’s business.  It means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse, neglect and harm.

Abuse can take place anywhere.

Abuse means illegal, improper or harmful practice. It can take a number of different forms, including:

• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• psychological or emotional abuse
• financial abuse
• neglect of acts of omission are also forms of abuse.

The person who is responsible for the abuse is often well known to the person abused. They could be:

• a paid carer or volunteer
• a health worker, care worker or other worker
• a relative, friend or neighbour
• an occasional visitor or someone who is providing a service
• someone who deliberately exploits vulnerable people
• someone who uses services (people who use services may intentionally or unintentionally abuse others and may require support to overcome abusive behaviour).

If you know someone well you may notice changes in their behaviour or appearance. These might be big or small changes, and might happen over a long period of time or suddenly.

Here are some changes that might mean someone is being abused. This is not a full list, but these are some of the things you can look out for:

• they have physical injuries without explanation
• they become withdrawn, tearful or anxious
• they show signs of fear or talk about not feeling safe
• they are hungry or dehydrated
• they start self-harming
• they start communicating differently or stop communicating altogether
• their needs change, for example they need or ask for different types of care or different levels of care
• their skills change, for example self-care or continence management skills
• they behave differently or seem more or less happy and relaxed with different staff or in different environments e.g. at their day centre compared to their home.

It can be difficult to be sure that someone is being abused, but if you are concerned that abuse might be going on, we would always encourage you to raise your concerns.

• If someone you know is in immediate danger you should contact the police on their emergency phone number 111.  If it is not an emergency but are wanting Police guidance, their non-emergency number is 105 or online through the Police Website. 
• If there is no immediate danger, you can report your concerns about abuse to the local Safeguarding Connector, immediately. You can contact the Safeguarding Connector if you have any suspicion that someone is at risk of abuse.
• If you do not receive a swift response from the Safeguarding Connector letting you know whether or not they plan to investigate or you are not happy with the outcome, then you may wish to make a formal complaint to the organisation which provides the person support as soon as possible. You can also report your suspicions to the police.
• If you are still unsure of what to do, please contact SVAT for advice.