Safeguarding Adults

Vulnerable Adults should be enabled to live their life in an environment which is free from prejudice and safe from abuse. An approach of zero tolerance is taken by the council to ensure that vulnerable adults are protected.

All citizens’ are entitled to:

Privacy
Be treated with dignity
Lead an independent life and to be enabled to do so
Be able to choose how they lead their lives
The protection of the law
Have their rights upheld regardless of ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, impairment or disability, age, religious or cultural background

Where an adult is clearly able to make choices, they must be advised of the options available to them, and have their wishes respected, unless, exceptionally, a statutory responsibility to intervene arises.

If intervention is necessary to prevent further risk, the Council will pursue action in a way that causes the least disruption to that individual’s way of life.

Who are vulnerable adults?

A vulnerable adult is someone aged 18 or over who 'is or maybe in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and who is or maybe unable to take care of his or herself or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation' (Law Commission Report 231, 1995).

If you or someone you know would like advice or support please contact Adult social Care and Health by phoning our Community Response and Reablement Team on 01344 351500 or by using the e-mail address on the right hand side of this page.