Vale of Glamorgan Council
Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
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Adult Safeguarding

Are you concerned about an Adult?

The Vale of Glamorgan’s Adult Safeguarding Team responds to Safeguarding reports and concerns raised in relation to Adults at Risk.

 

An Adult at Risk as defined in the Social Services and well-being Act 2014 is an adult who:

  • Is experiencing abuse or neglect

  • Has need for care and support (whether the local authority is meeting any of those needs), and

  • As a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it

Who is an Adult at Risk?

The types of individuals that could be considered an Adult at Risk may include a person who:

  • Is elderly and frail due to ill health, physical disability, or cognitive impairment

  • Has a learning disability

  • Has a physical disability and/or sensory impairment

  • Has mental health needs

  • Has a long-term illness or condition

  • Misuses substances or alcohol

  • Is unable to make a decision and is in need of care and support

  • Is unable to communicate

What is Abuse/Neglect?

Abuse can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, discriminatory, organisational/ institutional and can take place in any setting.

 

Neglect is the failure to meet a persons basic needs; physical, emotional, social or psychological which is likely to result in an impairment of the person’s well-being, and can also take place in a range of settings. This can also include self neglect.

 

This is not an exhaustive list and other areas of abuse or neglect can include modern day slavery, domestic abuse, female genital mutilation (FGM), and exploitation.

Who could be an abuser?

An abuser could be a:

  • Friend

  • Family member

  • Professional

  • Volunteer

  • Neighbour

  • Care worker

  • Tradesperson

What should I do if I am concerned?

If you are being abused or at risk of harm or are concerned that someone you know may be at risk of harm you should speak to someone about it as soon as possible and when it is safe to do so, this may include speaking to the individual you suspect is being abused or neglected (only if it is safe and appropriate to do so).

 

If immediate help is needed dial 999 without delay. If a crime has been committed but immediate help is not required, please dial 101.

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Adult Safeguarding Team are contactable Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 5pm, and Friday 8:30 – 4:30pm:

 

They will happy to talk through your concerns.

 

Out of working hours and it is an emergency, please contact the out of hours Emergency Duty Team: 

 

Concerns in relation to Practitioner’s or those in a Position of Trust (Section 5)

We have a duty to manage allegations and concerns about any person who works with children and young people and adults at risk in their area. Certain job roles which involve a person working directly with children or adults at risk means they are considered a Practitioner/Person in a Position of Trust. This includes Council staff, staff of partner agencies, service providers, and volunteers.

 

We must be notified when there are concerns that a person who works with children or adults at risk has:

  • Behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child or adult at risk

  • May have committed a criminal offence against a child or adult at risk or that has a direct impact on the child or adult at risk

  • Behaved towards a child, children or adults at risk in a way that indicates they are unsuitable to work with both children and adults

Information for Professionals/ Practitioners

If you are a professional/practitioner working with adults at risk and have reasonable cause to suspect that someone is being abused or neglected or at risk of abuse or neglect please report your concerns to the adult safeguarding team. Please complete the Adult Safeguarding Duty to Report Adult at Risk Form (AS1) below. In the interim please take whatever action you feel is appropriate to safeguard the person and accurately record your decisions and actions.

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Adult Safeguarding Team are contactable Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 5pm and Friday 8:30 – 4:30pm:

 

Out of working hours and it is an emergency, please contact the out of hours Emergency Duty Team:

 

If immediate help is needed dial 999 without delay. If a crime has been committed but immediate help is not required, please dial 101.

 

For guidance, please refer to the Wales Safeguarding procedures: 

 

Wales Safeguarding Procedures

Adult Safeguarding Duty to Report Adult at Risk (AS1)

AS1 Completion Guidance

Resources

Domestic Violence   

Human Trafficking