Adult abuse
Please note:
Our adult safeguarding procedures have been updated in March 2011. Please see below under 'What are we doing in Walsall?'
For copies of our leaflets, please go to our leaflets page.
Visit the Social Care TV website for videos on keeping vulnerable adults safe.
What is adult abuse?
Adult abuse can happen in many different ways. Abuse can be any of the following:
- Physical abuse – hitting, kicking, slapping or giving too much medication or medication that is not necessary.
- Sexual abuse – rape or sexual acts which the adult involved does not want or agree to.
- Emotional abuse – controlling, intimidating or verbally abusing the adult involved.
- Financial or material abuse – fraud, theft or misuse of property or finances.
- Neglect – ignoring a person’s medical or physical care needs, or withholding basic needs such as food, medication and heating.
- Discriminatory abuse – abuse motivated by prejudice, such as racism or sexism.
- Institutional abuse – bad practice by large organisations (for example, offering little or no choice or following unfair regimes and practices).
Abuse can happen in many different places – the adult’s home, in hospital, in a residential or nursing home. It can happen once or it can happen over and over again. Anyone can be responsible for abuse, including partners, family members, friends, carers and care workers.
Financial abuse of Personal Budgets
Financial abuse/fraud can include the misuse of funds attached to personal budgets. This can include, but is not limited to, the use of funds for any illegal purpose, use of funds for anything not agreed in an individual's support plan, or the use of funds by someone other than the person in receipt of the Personal Budget.
If you have any concerns about such matters, you should contact the Initial Intake Team on 0845 111 2922, or email initialintake@walsall.gov.uk.
Wherever possible, we will respect the confidentiality of people who wish to remain anonymous when reporting such incidents.
Who is at risk of abuse?
Those at risk of abuse, known as ‘vulnerable adults’, are people aged 18 years or over who:
- need, or may need, community-care services because of disability, age or illness; and
- are, or may be, unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themselves against harm or exploitation.
What are we doing in Walsall?
We have produced adult safeguarding procedures (PDF 1MB) for our staff. We also have a Walsall Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board made up of representatives from Walsall Social Care, West Midlands Police, NHS Walsall and Walsall NHS Hospitals Trust, as well as representatives from the private sector and voluntary groups which care for adults. This board keeps the procedures up to date and makes sure all agencies in Walsall work together to help prevent adult abuse.
Please note that as from 1 April 2010 the new WSS 220 Adult Safeguarding Initial Referral Form should be used.
For more information on the adult protection procedures or the Walsall Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board, phone the Adult Safeguarding Unit on 0845 111 2922.
Who do I contact if I am concerned?
If you are concerned for yourself or someone you know, contact the Adult Safeguarding Unit. We will deal with your concerns sensitively and confidentially wherever possible.
Contact us
Adult Safeguarding Unit
Allens Centre
Hilton Road
New Invention
Willenhall WV12 5XB
Telephone 0845 111 2922
Fax 01543 372947
Email APU@walsall.gov.uk
In an emergency or out of office hours
You can contact the Adult Safeguarding Unit on Telephone 0845 111 2922
or you can contact
West Midlands Police
Green Lane
Walsall
West Midlands
WS2 8HL
Telephone: 0345 113 5000
This page was last updated on 10 January 2012