PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS IN BRENT

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PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS IN BRENT

• There can be no secrets and no hiding place when
  it comes to exposing the abuse of vulnerable
  adults

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CONTENT

• Background/context
• Who is a vulnerable adult?
• What is abuse?
• Who might abuse vulnerable adults?
• Where might abuse take place?
• How to protect vulnerable adults
• What to do if abuse is suspected

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BACKGROUND/CONTEXT

• Previous Brent guidelines
• No Secrets DH, March 2000
  - Local co-ordination, SSD lead, multi-agency
  Committee
• No one body of legislation - draws on a range
• Brent AP Committee - since Nov. 2002

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BRENT ADULT PROTECTION COMMITTEE

• Reps SSD, Health, NCSC, Police, Housing, Vol.
  Sector - BRAVA, Carers Centre
• Updated policy and procedures
• Developed training strategy organised training
  sessions
• Produced publicity materials
• Official launch - 22 October

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WHO IS A VULNERABLE ADULT?

• A person aged 18 years or over who is or may be
  in need of community care services by reasons of
  mental or other disability, age or illness
• AND - who is or may be unable to take care of him
  or herself, or unable to protect him or herself
  against significant harm or exploitation.
  

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WHAT IS ABUSE?

• Abuse is a violation of an individuals human and
  civic rights by any other person or persons
• Abuse may constitute a criminal offence
• Main forms of abuse

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MAIN FORMS OF ABUSE

• Physical
• Sexual
• Psychological/ emotional
• Financial or material

• Neglect and acts of omission
• Discriminatory
• Institutional

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WHO MIGHT ABUSE VULNERABLE ADULTS?

• Professional staff paid care workers
• Volunteers
• Other service users
• Relatives and family members
• Neighbours
• Friends and associates
• Strangers people who deliberately exploit
  vulnerable adults

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WHERE MIGHT ABUSE TAKE PLACE?

• In nursing homes, residential and day care
• In hospital, custodial situation and other places
  assumed to be safe
• In persons own home
• Friend or relatives home
• In public places

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HOW TO PROTECT VULNERABLE ADULTS

• Be aware of the possibilities of abuse
• Ensure own agency has policy and procedures based
  on Brents
• Obtain training for self and colleagues
• Undertake risk assessments
• Be alert to indicators of abuse
• Create environment to encourage vulnerable adult
  to share any concerns

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WHAT TO DO IF ABUSE IS SUSPECTED/DISCLOSED

• Stay calm - dont show shock
• Listen carefully
• Be sympathetic
• Be aware medical/forensic evidence might be
  needed
• Tell the person they did the right thing
• Report to your line manager
• Make a good record

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WHAT NOT TO DO - Dont

• Press person for more details
• Promise to keep secrets
• Make promises you cant keep
• Contact the alleged abuser
• Be judgmental
• Mix subjective opinion with facts
• Tell anyone other than those with need to know

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WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

• Social Services must be informed immediately
• Adult Protection Co-ordinator appointed to
  oversee investigation - not necessarily undertake
  it
• Multi-agency Strategy Meeting likely
• Multi-agency case conference to determine action
  to be taken

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PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS IN BRENT

• There can be no secrets and no hiding place when
  it comes to exposing the abuse of vulnerable
  adults