Safeguarding Adults
Solihull is committed to preventing the abuse of adults and responding promptly when abuse is suspected or identified.
What is ‘safeguarding’ and ‘abuse’?
Safeguarding is about making people aware of their rights, protecting them and preventing abuse.
Abuse is any action that harms another person.
Abuse of vulnerable adults is where someone in a position of trust hurts, harms or causes someone distress. Abuse is unacceptable; everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to live free of abuse or mistreatment, whether they live on their own, live with others, live in a care/nursing care home, attend a day centre or are in hospital.
Solihull uses the ‘No Secrets’ 2000 definition of a vulnerable adult which is:
A person aged 18 years and over: ‘who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation’ (No Secrets).
Community Care Services are taken to include all care services provided in any setting or context and will, therefore, include hospitals, residential or nursing homes, day services, community services, respite services or voluntary services.
What is abuse?
Abuse happens in lots of different ways and there are seven different types of abuse. They are:
Physical abuse is when someone actually harms or hurts another person or causes them discomfort. May include shaking, pinching, slapping, force-feeding, biting, burning or scalding. It may also involve misuse of medication and restraint or when a person is deprived of their liberty.
Sexual abuse is any form of sexual activity including rape, sexual assault and sexual contact that the adult does not want, to which they have not consented, could not consent, or were pressured into consenting to. This includes being encouraged or enticed to touch the abuser, or coercing the victim into watching or participating in pornographic videos, photographs, or Internet images. Any sexual relationship that develops between adults where one is in a position of trust, power or authority in relation to the other e.g. a social worker, care worker, health worker etc will be regarded as abuse.
Psychological abuse is also referred to as emotional abuse. It includes the use of intimidation, rejection, threats, shouting, humiliation, coercion and controlling behaviour. This will include oppressive language, the denial of choice, deprivation of dignity, privacy or contact. It could include withdrawal from services or supportive networks, harassment, being threatened or intimidated or being made to fear for their well being.
Financial abuse is the inappropriate use, exploitation, or misappropriation of property, possessions or financial resources. This would include theft, deception, false accounting, fraud, exploitation or pressure in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions.
Neglect is the withholding either deliberately or unintentionally of help or support necessary to carry out daily living tasks. This would include ignoring medical and physical care needs or a failure to provide access to health, social or educational support. This could also include the withholding of medication, nutrition and heating. This could include keeping the person in isolation. Neglect could include a failure to intervene in situations that are dangerous to the person or to others especially in cases when the person lacks the mental capacity to assess risks.
Discriminatory abuse is motivated by prejudice and oppressive attitudes towards race, gender, age, cultural background, religion, disability or sexual orientation. This may also be the motivating factor behind other types of abuse. Such instances may be a denial to follow one’s religion, lack of appropriate food, denial of opportunity to develop relationships, denial of health care.
Institutional abuse is the “rigorous” implementation of a Care Provider’s care regime, practices, polices and procedures or processes that may negatively impact on a persons rights to Independence, Respect, Dignity or Choice. It is the mistreatment of people bought about by poor or inadequate care or support or systematic poor practice that affects the whole care setting. It occurs when the individual’s wishes and need are sacrificed for the smooth running of a group, service or organisation.
Who abuses?
Most people will not abuse BUT anyone could abuse. Vulnerable adult(s) may be abused by a wide range of people including:
- relatives and family members,
- professional staff,
- paid care workers, volunteers,
- other service users,
- neighbours, friends and associates,
- people who deliberately exploit vulnerable people and strangers.
It is of particular concern when abuse is perpetrated by someone in a position of power or authority who uses his or her position to the detriment of the health, safety, welfare and general wellbeing of a vulnerable person.
Where does abuse happen?
Abuse can take place in any setting
- In a persons own home. Current data suggests most of the abuse reported takes place in people own homes.
- In someone else’s home (relative or friend)
- In a residential or nursing care home.
In a day centre, adult education centre or other establishment
- Health establishment such as hospital, GP surgery
- In someone’s work place
- In a public place.