Protecting Adults Information

Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances.

• Physical Abuse
• Domestic Violence / Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Psychological Abuse
• Financial or Material Abuse
• Modern Slavery
• Discriminatory Abuse
• Organisational Abuse
• Neglect and acts of omission
• Self-Neglect

Refer to the Care Care Guidance for full details

Refer to the Categories of abuse or neglect and possible indicators

Anyone can abuse someone. This could be someone that a person knows or a stranger. It can be one person or a group of people.

Abuse can happen anywhere, such as:

• In someone’s own home
• At work
• At a day centre
• At college
• In hospital
• In residential care or a nursing home
• At a club or social event

No matter where you are, you shouldn’t suffer abuse. If you or someone you know is being abused, there are people you can talk to about it. Contact us on details below.

If there is reasonable cause to suspect that an adult has experienced, or is at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect when in the Walsall local authority (irrespective of where the person ordinarily resides), to consider raising an adult safeguarding concern to ASC.

You may be concerned that a person is:

• Not getting the help or care they need
• Being hurt, bullied, frightened or intimidated
• Being taken advantage of, or exploited because of their age, disability or illness
• Not being allowed to make their own choices or decisions
• Being made to do something against their will
• Not being treated in a dignified or respectful manner

If you or someone you know is being abused, we can help. Please contact us. We will work with you and listen to you.

Telephone: 0300 555 2922
Textphone: 07919014925
Email: initialintake@walsall.gov.uk
Website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/how-get-social-support

Abuse is often a crime. If you think a crime has been committed contact Walsall Police.

If there is an emergency always dial 999.

To report crime or anti-social behaviour, to contact your local police station or to get police assistance in a non-emergency dial 101.

For all other police enquiries dial 0345 113 5000

This is what adults at risk of abuse can expect from us:

• Your concerns will be taken seriously.
• We will work together to reduce the risks to your safety and well-being and to keep you safe.
• We will work together to help you if you are harmed.
• We will take notice of what you tell us about what you want to happen and try to do what you want.
• You will know who does what job and how to get hold of all the people who work in adult safeguarding.
• You will have the chance to tell us what you think worked well and what could be better and we will take notice of what you say.
• If we can’t do something you have asked for, we will tell you why not.