Safeguarding is defined as ‘protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.’ (Care and Support statutory guidance, chapter 14). Adult safeguarding is about preventing and responding to concerns of abuse, harm or neglect of adults. Staff should work together in partnership with adults so that they are:
• Safe and able to protect themselves from abuse and neglect.
• Treated fairly and with dignity and respect.
• Protected when they need to be.
• Able easily to get the support, protection and services that they need.
The aims of Adult Safeguarding are to:
• Stop abuse or neglect wherever possible.
• Prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults with care and support needs.
• Safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making informed choices and having control about how they want to live.
• Promote an approach that concentrates on improving life for the adults concerned.
• Raise public awareness so that communities as a whole, alongside professionals, play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse and neglect.
• Provide information and support in accessible ways to help adults understand the different types of abuse, how to stay safe and what to do to raise a concern about the safety or well-being of an adult.
• Address what has caused the abuse.
Further Information
SCIE - Social Care Institute for Excellence - Safeguarding
NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - Social work with adults experiencing complex needs
NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - Home care: delivering personal care and practical support to older people living in their own homes
NHS - National Health Service - Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults
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