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Who do I contact?

If you or someone you know is suffering from harm, abuse or exploitation, please do not keep silent!
 
Tell someone you trust or phone the 24 hour Safeguarding helpline on 020 3373 0440
 
Fax: 020 8430 1025
 
In an emergency call 999.
 
To report any other kind of crime please call 101.​

Who is a vulnerable person

The term vulnerable person refers to anyone aged 18 and over who:

  • is or may be in need of Community Care Services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and
  • is or may be unable to take care of himself or herself and; or
  • is unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation..
 

What is abuse?

Abuse can be a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, which causes harm or distress. It happens in many forms:

  • Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint
  • Financial Abuse: Unauthorised use of a person's money, bank account, pension book, property or any other belongings
  • Neglect:  Deprivation of help which could cause harm or suffering, Example, not having sufficient food to eat, inadequate heating, personal care, inappropriate clothing and medical attention
  • Sexual Abuse: Rape, unwanted touching, kissing or any sexual activity where consent was not given or unable to give consent
  • Psychological/Emotional Abuse: Shouting, swearing, threats of harm, humiliation, intimidation, controlling, deprivation of contact, any act which makes a person scared, fearful, isolated or humiliated
  • Discriminatory Abuse: Abuse that based on racial, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion.
  • Institutional Abuse:  Mistreatment or abuse by a regime, a group of staff or an individual within an institution. It occurs when the routines, systems and norms of an institution compel individuals to sacrifice their own preferred life styles and cultural diversity to the needs of the institution. Types of institutions: residential or nursing homes, day centres, hospitals, sheltered housing, Supported Housing, hostels, home share placement.
 

Who could be an abuser?

  • Family members, partner, child or other relatives
  • Friends or neighbours
  • A paid or volunteer carer
  • A professional worker
  • An occasional visitor or service provider
  •  Where can abuse happen?
  •  In your own home
  • At relatives or friends homes
  • In residential or nursing homes
  • In a day centre, social club, adult education centre
  • In hospital or GP surgery
  • Any public places
 

Alerting and Reporting Abuse

 The following steps must be taken if an abuse has been witnessed or reported:
 
  • Listen calmly to the person
  • Talk reassuringly to the person and guarantee confidentiality.
  • Explain that you must inform your line manager
  • Tell them that help and support is available with their consent
  • Make an accurate report of the allegation using person's own words
  • Describe the circumstances in which it occurred
  • Keep person informed of all follow-on proceedings
 

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