Adults safeguarding

What to do if you are concerned about a vulnerable adult who is at risk of neglect or abuse in Northumberland.

Are you concerned about a vulnerable adult who is at risk of neglect or abuse in Northumberland? 

If so contact Onecall: 01670 536 400

If you have speech or hearing
difficulties you can use Relay UK.  
 
Contact us by dialling 018001 01670 536400. 

You can find more information about Relay UK here 

If you need medical advice and support immediately, but it’s not life threatening, call your GP or NHS 111.

You should always call 999 in an emergency - for example when someone’s life is at risk or someone is seriously injured or critically ill.
 

Safeguarding Adult referrals

To make a referral download and complete the Safeguarding Adults Enquiry Form. 

Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

 People and organisations work together to prevent and stop the risk of abuse or neglect.  

This ensures adults in our communities are kept safe. 
 
We need to make sure the person’s views, wishes, feelings and beliefs are a key part of deciding on any action.  
 
Safeguarding Adults is underpinned by The Care Act 2014 
 
An adult at risk is defined by The Care Act 2014 as a person who: 
  • Has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs). 
  • Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect.  
  • As a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it. 
Anyone can raise a concern.  
 
If you or someone you know is being abused or neglected, please report it 
 

Contact safeguarding adults  

If you need any general advice or more information, please contact: 
 
The Safeguarding Adults Team via Onecall on 01670 536400   
 
If you are concerned that someone is at risk of, or experiencing, abuse or neglect please contact Onecall. 
Abuse may be a single act or repeated acts of suspected, disclosed or witnessed abuse or neglect.

The Care Act 2014 identifies the following categories of abuse and neglect that should be included within Safeguarding Adult policy and procedures.

It may be:

  • Physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions.
  • Sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault or sexual exploitation or acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting.
  • Psychological abuse, including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
  • Financial or material abuse, including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefit.
  • Neglect and acts of omission, including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
  • Discriminatory abuse, including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
  • Organisational abuse, including everything from individual acts of very poor professional practice to pervasive ill treatment, gross misconduct and systemic failure across a service.
  • Domestic abuse, including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse and “honour” based violence.
  • Modern day slavery, encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude.
  • Self-neglect, this covers a wide range of behaviours, including neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviours such as hoarding.
  • Radicalisation, the abusive process whereby adults with care and support needs are radicalised.

Abuse can happen anywhere - in a person's own home, a public place, care homes, hospitals, day centres or in the community. Anyone can neglect or abuse - family members, friends, neighbours, social workers, health staff, carers, volunteers and strangers.

Stopping abuse or neglect is everyone’s responsibility and anyone can raise a concern. 

If you are concerned about a vulnerable adult who is at risk of neglect or abuse in Northumberland please contact Onecall: 01670 536 400.

Here you will find information about Safeguarding Adults campaigns and awareness raising.

'Tricky Friends' is a short animation originally developed by Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board.
 
The aim is to help people with learning disabilities, children and young adults, understand: 
  • what good friendships are 
  • when they might be harmful 
  • what they can do 
This can be used by:  
  • carers 
  • family  
  • professionals  
  • organisations 
It is to raise awareness and help keep them safer while enjoying relationships.