Safeguarding adults
Many adults, especially older people and those with a physical
or learning disability, rely on other people to help them in their
day to day living.
If you are a victim of abuse or you suspect somebody else is
being abused here are details about what you can do to get
help.
Who is at risk of abuse?
A vulnerable adult may be at risk from people they know such as
a relative, friend, neighbour or paid carer. Sometimes people can
be abused by a stranger.
Abuse can happen anywhere, but it is likely to happen in your
own home, in a residential or nursing home or in a day centre or
hospital.
What is abuse?
Abuse can be:
- Hitting, slapping and pushing.
- Shouting or swearing, humiliating, ignoring or harassing.
- Unwanted touching, kissing and sexual intercourse.
- Money or property taken without consent or under pressure.
- Not being cared for properly or denied privacy, choice or
social contact.
- Treating a person in a way that does not respect their needs
including race, culture and ethnic background, age, sex, religion,
disability and sexuality.
What should I do if I suspect abuse?
Safeguarding adults is everybody’s business. If you are
concerned that a vulnerable adult may be a victim of abuse, please
contact us at one of the numbers listed below. We will deal
with your concerns in the strictest of confidence and our trained
staff will carry out a careful and sensitive enquiry.
If you are a victim of abuse or want to report
the possible abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult please use one
of the following contact numbers.
For all referrals:
Contact Knowsley Access
Team on 0151 443 2600.
Policy and procedure queries:
If you have
any queries regarding policy and procedures contact the
Safeguarding Adults Unit on 0151 443 4261/4251
Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
A new law was introduced on 1 April 2009
to protect vulnerable people who may not have the capacity to
consent to the care or treatment that they need in hospital or a
residential care home.
The safeguards are for those with more severe
learning disabilities, older people with dementias or those who
have brain injuries.
There must be a proper assessment to show that
any restriction is in their best interests or it is necessary to
keep them from harm.
The deprivation should be for as short a time
as possible and it must be authorised by the local council or
Primary Care Trust.
The checklist in documents below explains more
about a deprivation of liberty. Ask someone in the care home or
hospital involved, or visit the websites of the
Department of Health or the Public
Guardian. You can read our policy and procedures for
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in the documents below.
Safeguarding Adults Board Newsletter
Documents
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view PDF documents. If you do not
already have this, you can download it from the Adobe
website. If you require these documents in an accessible
format, please contact us.
