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What is adult abuse and how to report concerns

Find out who is at risk of abuse and how to report concerns.

Who is an adult at risk of harm?

An adult at risk of harm is defined as someone who may have needs for care and support, and is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves.

What is abuse and neglect?

Abuse and neglect happens in lots of different ways, for example:

  • when someone hurts or treats another person badly
  • when someone does things to upset or frighten people
  • when someone ignores medical or physical care needs. 

Abuse and neglect can happen anywhere. Adults with care and support needs could be abused by anyone, including a partner, family member, neighbour, friend, health or social care professional, volunteer or a stranger.

The leaflets below provide more information on the different types of abuse, the safeguarding process and how to report concerns about an adult.

What can I do if I am being abused or I am worried that someone else is?

Raise awareness

It is important to raise awareness of what safeguarding is to ensure that we help to protect adults who are unable to protect themselves.

All organisations large/small/individuals/volunteers/employers and community groups are encouraged to use the information below to increase awareness of what adult safeguarding is within their own networks.

  • Safeguarding adults training resource (available for download only for accessibility reasons): The training resource which you can download from the bottom of this page, provides detailed information on who we are safeguarding, types and indicators of abuse, how to report concerns and the safeguarding adult process. This training can be used by all organisations to increase awareness of safeguarding adults to staff/volunteers and to people who use your services.  Should you have any questions or require further information please email us. A PowerPoint slide version of the training resource is available upon request.
  • Safeguarding adults promotional material: Organisations are encouraged to print the leaflets and postcard attached below to display them on notice boards and placed them at locations where people/employees can access them. Discuss the leaflets with people/employees to explain to them what the leaflet is about and the help available. 

Additionally, if your organisation is holding an event and would like a stand about safeguarding adults, please contact us with the details of the event. 

If you would like printed promotional material sending out to you, send us an email.