Safeguarding adults means protecting vulnerable
adults from abuse for example harm and exploitation.
It is every adult's right to live in a safe environment free
from abuse. Abuse can take many forms and may include physical
abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, psychological abuse, neglect
or discriminatory abuse.
Abuse is a breach of an individual's rights which may be a
single act or happen repeatedly over a period of time. The abuse
may be deliberate but it may also happen as a result of poor care
practices or ignorance. The vulnerable adult may be neglected,
persuaded to agree to something against their will or taken
advantage of because they do not fully understand the consequences
of their choices or actions.
A vulnerable adult is defined as an adult (a person aged 18 or
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'.
Definition from 'No Secrets' March 2000 Department of
Health.