Safeguarding Adults
Safeguarding adults refers to the legal duty of local councils and other agencies to protect adults who have care and support needs from abuse or neglect. Under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014, councils must make enquiries whenever they have reason to believe an adult with care needs is at risk. The ten categories of abuse recognised include physical, financial, sexual, emotional, and organisational abuse.
Under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014, local councils must make enquiries whenever they reasonably suspect an adult who has care and support needs is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves. The 10 categories of abuse recognised by the statutory guidance include physical, sexual, psychological/emotional, financial, discriminatory, organisational, domestic, modern slavery, self-neglect, and neglect by others. Agencies involved in a Section 42 enquiry are coordinated through a Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB). Any person can refer a concern to the council's adult social care safeguarding team. The Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) approach puts the wishes and outcomes of the adult at the centre of any response. Safeguarding is not the same as safeguarding children: the adult's right to make unwise decisions (if they have capacity) must be respected under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.