Safeguarding

What to do if you suspect an adult is being harmed or abused

Safeguarding people at risk in Dorset means investigating every time harm is alleged or reported as well as taking early action to develop and maintain practices which make it less likely for harm to occur, such as developing good core standards in Care Homes or reducing risks of harm to people in their own homes.

Between April 2009 and March 2010 we received 793 allegations of harm. These were from people who were directly affected, their family members, service providers, our staff, professionals from other agencies and members of the public.  Of this total, just over two thirds resulted in detailed investigations.

What we do to safeguard adults

We lead in safeguarding adults at risk through

1. Careful investigation of circumstances and responsibilities where people may have been harmed
2. Developing protection plans with the individual concerned to help stop them from coming to any further harm

There are a large number of investigators in Adult Services who have been trained together with Dorset Police.The investigators are generally Registered Social Workers who have completed further specialist training and who know a great deal about these types of concerns.

What do we mean by 'Adult at Risk'?

An Adult at Risk is a person aged 18 years and over who:

• Is or may be in need of Community Care Services. Perhaps because of mental ill health, a learning disability, age, physical disability or other illness

• Is or may be unable to take care of him or herself or 

• Is unable to protect themselves against significant harm or serious exploitation

Community Care Services are the services which the Local Authority can provide or help arrange for people and/or their carers.

Anyone who comes to the attention of the County Council or the other agencies who are working to the 'No Secrets' guidance may need to have their circumstances investigated if they are reported to be harmed or at risk of harm.

What do we mean by 'harm'

"It is the violation of an individual's human and civil rights by any other person or persons." (No Secrets, 2000).

There are several types of harm. The following are the most common but the list is not exclusive:

• Physical harm

• Sexual harm

• Psychological or emotional harm

• Financial harm (theft, fraud, exploitation)

• Neglect and Acts of Omission (failing to look after someone who needs care or support)

• Institutional harm (where an organisation has policies or practices which are harmful)

• Discriminatory harm (where an individual is treated unfairly compared with others)

• Adult Safeguarding training

  If you provide services for vulnerable people, you may be able to access safeguarding training.

• Say No to abuse

  Family, friends, neighbours and colleagues are being urged to say NO, and report signs of adult abuse as part of a new public awareness campaign in Dorset.

• What to do if you suspect an adult is being harmed or abused

• Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board

  Minutes and Terms of Reference of the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board (DSAB)