Definitions Key definitions about safeguarding adults at risk

Adult A person who is aged 18 or over

At risk ‘At risk’ means that even if abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm have not actually occurred, they are likely to occur without support from services

Adult at risk Anyone aged 18 years or over who is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing, abuse or neglect and has care and support needs (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect or the risk of it

Important: • Actual abuse or neglect does not need to occur before you intervene • You should consider early support to safeguard an adult at risk to prevent actual abuse and neglect • The abuse of adults at risk is often linked to their environment (for example, where they live, how much support they have) rather than their characteristics • Risk of abuse or neglect may come from one concern or many different factors

Safeguarding adults at risk Safeguarding involves: • preventing and protecting adults at risk from abuse or neglect • educating people around them to recognise the signs and dangers of abuse and neglect • promoting their well-being One important difference between safeguarding adults and safeguarding children is an adult’s right to self-determination. Adults have the right to make their own choices and decide how to respond to the risk of abuse

Assessing risk

Risk • Includes abuse, neglect and/or exploitation • May be linked to one specific incident or ongoing and/or repeated abuse and neglect • May result from one issue or many different factors • Can take place in a range of settings, such as a private dwelling, residential or day care

Neglect A failure to meet a person’s basic physical, emotional, social or psychological needs, which is likely to have a negative effect on their well-being Neglect to an adult at risk includes a failure to access medical care or services, emotional neglect, letting them take inappropriate risks, not giving prescribed medication, not helping with personal hygiene or providing food, shelter or clothing Self-neglect lack of self-care to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety

Abuse • Can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial (includes theft, fraud, pressure about money, misuse of money) • Can take place in any setting, such as a private dwelling, an institution or any other place Financial abuse to an adult at risk includes theft, fraud, pressure about money, misuse of money

Abuse Physical abuse to an adult at risk includes hitting, slapping, misuse of medication, undue restraint or inappropriate sanctions Sexual abuse to an adult at risk includes rape and sexual assault, or sexual acts to which the adult has not or could not consent and / or was pressured into consenting

Abuse Psychological abuse to an adult at risk includes threats of harm or abandonment, coercive control, humiliation, verbal or racial abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks Domestic abuse and violence abusive behaviour taking place in a relationship as a way for one person in that relationship to gain or keep control over another. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse

Exploitation Modern slavery includes human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation and debt bondage