What is safeguarding

If you or anyone you know is in danger, call 999 now for emergency help.

Adult Safeguarding is for adults at risk with care and support needs. It is also for adults at risk of being abused or neglected who are unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect because of their needs.

If you think you are being abused, but you’re an adult without care and support needs, visit our Domestic Abuse pages.

If you are worried about your safety, please tell us by reporting your concern.

Isle Find It details local services and groups that can support you.

The Care Act 2014 ensures enquiries are made to find out what action, if any, may be needed when an adult with care and support needs may be at risk of abuse or neglect. This applies if we’re already providing care and support services to the adult at risk or not. You or someone you care for may need support with risk of abuse or harm. And you may require other support services too, including a care assessment or a review of your care and support plan.

Safeguarding protects your rights to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Your rights include:

  • to live in a safe environment without abuse or neglect
  • to live without the fear of abuse and/or neglect
  • to live without being at risk of abuse and/or neglect
  • to have support from us.

Risk

An adult at risk is:

  • you are in danger of harm, abuse, or neglect
  • there's potential harm which you can’t protect yourself from
  • and you need care and support. 

Abuse

Abuse is harming or threatening to hurt anyone, their health, or their wellbeing. There are many types of abuse.

Abuse may be: 

  • physical
  • sexual
  • emotional
  • mental
  • racial
  • social
  • financial
  • online bullying, known as cyberbullying.

Neglect

Neglect is not taking care of a person who relies on someone for their health, wellbeing, and livelihood. Six types of neglect are: 

  • physical (deprivation of your basic needs)
  • medical
  • emotional
  • supervisory
  • environmental
  • educational.