Adult and Community Services
Safeguarding Adults
What is Adult Abuse?
Adult Abuse is 'A single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship which causes harm or distress to a vulnerable adult'.
Who is a vulnerable adult?
A person aged 18 years or 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 him or herself
- Or is unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or serious exploitation
What to do if you have a concern
If you are unsure that a vulnerable adult might be suffering abuse but are worried, or if you believe that a vulnerable adult has suffered harm, neglect or abuse please contact 020 8227 2915 between 9am - 5pm. Out of these hours and at weekends or bank holidays please call 020 8594 8356.
In an emergency always call 999
National Policies and Legislation for Protection of Vulnerable People
This guidance gives tells local authorities and other partners such as the NHS and Police how to set up local arrangements to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and to investigate concerns that may arise.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act|
This law changes the way people who work with vulnerable adults are vetted before they are employed and if abuse of a vulnerable person happens the act tells employers what they should do to protect other vulnerable people from harm.
This law brings 2 important changes for vulnerable people. Firstly it introduces a new type of advocate, an independent mental capacity advocate. These advocates are specially trained to support vulnerable people who have been abused who may lack the capacity to make decisions in their own best interests. The Mental Capacity Act also introduced a new criminal offence of wilful neglect and ill treatment of a vulnerable person. If found guilty of this offence an abuser can receive a prison sentence.
This law has an offence of ill-treatment or wilful neglect of a mental health patient. If found guilty of this offence an abuser could face a prison sentence of up to 5 years.
Barking and Dagenham Safeguarding Adults Board are:
- Police - Community Safety Unit
- Barking, Havering 7 Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust
- Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust
- Commission for Social Care Inspection
- Carers of Barking and Dagenham
- HUBB advocacy Service
- North East London Mental Health Trust
- Age Concern
- Barking and Dagenham Council - Adult and Community Services
Barking and Dagenham Safeguarding Adults Board are committed to protecting the human and civil rights of vulnerable adults. The recognition of suspected or actual abuse towards a vulnerable adult is the responsibility of all staff within all agencies.
All individuals regardless of disadvantage or disability have the right to the greatest possible control over their lives. Vulnerable adults should be able to live as independently as possible and to make informed decisions about their lifestyles, including taking risks if they choose.
The Safeguarding Adults Board believes that vulnerable adults have the right to be involved in making plans for their care and to be offered realistic alternatives if they are being intimidated or are afraid.
Adult Protection Alert Form 
PDF 22K
Policy and Procedure document for Safeguarding Adults PDF 561K
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