Adult Protection - Safeguarding Vulnerable People

Sadly, a significant number of vulnerable adults experience abuse in different settings and at the hands of different people. Islington takes the abuse of vulnerable adults very seriously and is committed to dealing effectively with abuse.

We have a policy which ensures that we work jointly with colleagues from the police, voluntary and health agencies to intervene, protect and attain the best possible outcomes for vulnerable people. 

What Should You Do?

If you are concerned that any vulnerable adult is experiencing abuse or neglect, whether it be you, a member of your family or someone living near you, please contact the team listed below.

Access Service
020 7527 2299 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Email - adult.socialservices@islington.gov.uk

Emergency Duty Team
020 7226 0992 Mon-Fri 5pm-9am - All day Sat, Sun and bank holidays

If the person is in immediate danger, or needs medical treatment, contact the police and/or call an ambulance (999).

What You Should Not Do

• Do not confront the person you think is responsible for the abuse.
• Do not destroy the evidence.
• Do not start to investigate the situation.

What Will Happen Next?

What happens next will depend on the wishes of the person and the seriousness of the situation. If they are in physical danger, ensuring their safety will be most important. 

In response to your referral, trained staff will carry out a careful and sensitive enquiry. Information and advice will be offered so that the person and their family can make an informed choice, care will be taken to support and protect them.

Other Contacts and Advice

CSCI - The Commission for Social Care Inspection registers, inspects and reports on social care services in England.
Helpline -0845 015 0120 Textphone - 0845 015 2255
Email - enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk

Action on Elder Abuse - run the national, freephone helpline for anyone concerned in any way about the abuse of older people. The helpline is confidential and provides information and assistance across the four nations of the UK. 
Helpline - 0808 808 8141 Mon -Fri 9am-5pm
Email -enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk

Voice UK - supports people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable people who have experienced crime or abuse.
Helpline - 0845 122 8695
Email - voice@voiceuk.org.uk

Public Concern at Work - is a whistle blowing charity and a legal advice centre. Lawyers provide confidential advice, free of charge, to people concerned about wrongdoing at work but who are not sure whether or how to raise the concern. 
Helpline 020 7404 6609
Email - helpline@pcaw.co.uk

Further Guidance:

Who is a vulnerable adult?

A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 or over who is or may be in need of community care services because of disability, age or illness, and who:

• is or may be unable to take care of themselves, or
• is unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation

Vulnerable adults could include older people, people with a visual or hearing impairment, physical disability, learning disabilities or mental health problem, and people living with HIV or AIDS.

What is abuse?

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons. It may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be planned or unplanned. It may be the result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance. It may happen when a vulnerable adult is persuaded to enter into a transaction to which they have not consented or cannot consent.

Abuse can take many forms:

• Physical Abuse – for example, hitting, pushing, shaking, over medicating or otherwise causing physical harm.

• Sexual Abuse – for example, unwanted touching, kissing or sexual activity. Or where the vulnerable adult cannot or does not give their consent.

• Psychological / Emotional Abuse - including verbal abuse, humiliation, bullying or the use of threats.

• Financial Abuse – the illegal or improper use of a person’s money, property, pension book, bank account or other belongings.

• Neglect - the repeated deprivation of help or care that a vulnerable adult needs which, if withdrawn, will cause him or her to suffer.

• Institutional Abuse - abuse, neglect, withdrawal of rights or continually poor care in a care home setting.

• Discriminatory Abuse - Including racist or sexist abuse, and abuse based on a person's disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

Where can abuse happen?

Abuse can take place in any setting:

• in your own home
• in someone else’s home (relatives or friend)
• in a residential or nursing home
• in a day centre, adult education centre or other establishment
• in a hospital or GP surgery
• at work
• in a public place

Who abuses?

The person responsible for the abuse is often well known to the adult being abused. They may be:

• a relative, friend or neighbour
• a paid or volunteer carer.
• a professional worker
• another resident or service user
• an occasional visitor or service provider

Further Information

If you need further information, click the Related Information and Useful Websites links on the right-hand side of this page.