Safeguarding Adults
Vulnerable adults should be enabled to live and receive services in an environment which is free from prejudice and safe from abuse. An approach of zero tolerance will be taken to ensure that vulnerable adults are protected.
All individuals 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 a vulnerable 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, staff should 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).
An individual is vulnerable when "their health or usual function is compromised or when they enter unfamiliar surroundings".
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