1. Definition of an adult at risk

An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who has care and support needs, and who is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves.

This includes people with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, learning disabilities, dementia, and older people who may be frail or isolated.

2. Types of abuse

Physical abuse — including hitting, pushing, or inappropriate restraint.

Emotional or psychological abuse — including threats, humiliation, or coercive control.

Financial or material abuse — including theft, fraud, or misuse of property.

Sexual abuse — including any sexual activity without informed consent.

Neglect — including failure to provide adequate care, food, warmth, or medical attention.

Discriminatory abuse — including abuse based on race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Institutional abuse — including poor care practices within a service or organisation.

Modern slavery — including trafficking, forced labour, or domestic servitude.

3. Recognising signs of abuse

Signs may include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behaviour, withdrawal, fearfulness, poor hygiene, or financial difficulties.

Staff and volunteers are trained to recognise these signs and to respond appropriately.

4. Reporting procedure

Any concern about an adult at risk must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately — do not delay.

Record what you have seen or heard factually and accurately. Do not investigate the concern yourself.

The DSL will assess the concern and decide whether to refer to Adult Social Care or the police.

In an emergency, call 999. For non-emergency concerns about an adult at risk, contact your local Adult Social Care team.

5. Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns override normal confidentiality obligations. Information may be shared with statutory agencies without consent where there is a risk of serious harm.

All information is handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

6. Mental capacity

We respect the right of adults to make their own decisions. Where there is doubt about an individual's capacity to make a specific decision, we follow the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

A lack of capacity must never be assumed — it must be assessed in relation to the specific decision at the time.