Adult Safeguarding

Adult safeguarding means recognising and protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

Physical Abuse

The physical mistreatment of one person by another which may or may not result in physical injury, this may include slapping, burning, punching, unreasonable confinement, and pinching, force-feeding, misuse of medication, shaking, inappropriate moving and handling.

Signs of Physical Abuse

  • Use of medication
  • Burns in unusual places – hands, soles of feet
  • Bruising at various healing stages
  • Bite marks
  • Bruising in the shape of objects
  • Unexplained injuries or those that go untreated
  • Reluctance to uncover parts of the body
  • Sudden incontinence

Sexual abuse

Any form of sexual activity that the adult does not want and or have not considered, a sexual relationship instigated by those in a position of trust, rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

  • Recoiling from physical contact
  • Genital discharge
  • Fear of males or female
  • Inappropriate sexual behaviour in presence of others
  • Bruising to thighs
  • Disclosure
  • Pregnancy

Emotional Abuse

This abuse may involve the use of intimidation, indifference, hostility, rejection, threats of harm or abandonment, humiliation, verbal abuse such as shouting, swearing or the use of discriminatory and or oppressive language.

A deprivation of contact, blaming, controlling, coercion, harassment, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks. There may be a restriction of freedom, access to personal hygiene restricted, name calling, threat to withdraw care or support, threat of institutional care, use of bribes or threats or choice being neglected

Signs of Emotional Abuse

  • Stress and or anxiety in response to certain people
  • Compulsive behaviour
  • Reduction in skills and concentration
  • Lack of trust
  • Lack of self-esteem
  • May be frightened of other individuals
  • Changes in sleep patterns

Neglect

Behaviour by carers that results in the persistent or severe failure to meet the physical and or psychological needs of an individual in their care.

This may include ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health-care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating, wilful failure to intervene or failing to consider the implications of non-intervention in behaviours which are dangerous to them or others, failure to use agreed risk management procedures, inadequate care in residential setting, withholding affection or communication, denying access to services.

Self neglect covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.

Signs of Neglect

  • Low self-esteem, depression, isolation
  • Deterioration
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Continence problems
  • Lack of consideration to the individuals request
  • Denying others access to the individual health care professionals

Financial Abuse

Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits

Signs of Financial abuse

  • Not allowing a person to access their money
  • Not spending allocated allowance on the individual
  • Denying access to their money
  • Over protection of money
  • Forged signatures
  • Inability to pay bills, lack of money after payments of benefits or other
  • Goods purchased may be in the possession of the abuser
  • Over keenness in participating in activities involving individuals money

108 Harley Street

108 Harley Street, London, W1G 7ET

+44 (0)207 563 1234
info@108harleystreet.co.uk