Safeguarding Adults

All employers and employees are required to act in accordance with the Care Act 2014. Safeguarding Adults at Risk of Abuse was given statutory footing within the Care Act (2014), which requires that health and social care professionals act on information that which gives reasonable grounds to suspect that an adult has been abused or neglected or is at risk of abuse or neglect.

Any abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights. The 10 categories of Abuse identified within the Care Act 2014 are:

Physical
Sexual
Psychological/emotional
Discriminatory
Organisational
Domestic Abuse
Modern Day Slavery/Human Trafficking
Financial/material
Neglect and Acts of Omission
Self-neglect

The Care Act (2014) states that Safeguarding duties apply to an adult who;

Has needs for care and support
Is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect
Is unable to protect themselves from risk of abuse or neglect

Protecting people's health, wellbeing and human rights enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect

Care Quality Commission (CCG)

Principles of Adult Safeguarding

Empowerment - People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent.
Prevention - It is better to take action before harm occurs.
Proportionality - The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
Protection - Support and representation for those in greatest need.
Partnership - Working with local agencies.
Accountability - Accountability, transparency and whistleblowing.