Safeguarding adults from abuse – Adult Protection

Abuse happens, to adults as well as children. In Richmond we take the abuse of adults very seriously and are committed to protecting vulnerable people and preventing abuse wherever possible.

We have established a multi-agency Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board (SAPB) and have developed the safeguarding adults’ policy and procedure which ensures that we work jointly with colleagues from the police, voluntary and health agencies to safeguard vulnerable people.

The organisations represented on the SAPB include:

• The Primary Care Trust (PCT)
• South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust
• The Metropolitan Police
• Independent and voluntary sector service providers.

What should you do if you are concerned about abuse?

Who to contact

Contact Adult and Community Services

If you are concerned that any vulnerable adult is experiencing abuse or neglect, whether it be you, a member of your family or someone living near you, please use the contact details below. For more information and advice on services in the community or to make a referral to Adult and Community Services, please contact us on

Telephone: 020 8891 7971
Text: 07800 002439
Email: adultsocialservices@richmond.gov.uk

You can also contact us by using the Adult and Community Services enquiry form.

Our office hours are 9am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5.00pm on Friday.

Emergency enquiries

For emergency queries outside of office hours you can call our Adults Emergency Duty Team

Telephone: 020 8744 2442
Minicom: 0845 600 7752
Type Talk: 1800 1 020 8744 9414

The service is available from 5pm to 8am on Monday to Friday and 24 hours on weekends and Bank Holidays.

Or you can contact your nearest Council office, or if  criminal abuse is involved, contact the Police.

What will happen if you report abuse?

Your contact with us will be treated as an ‘alert’. Our response will depend on the wishes and needs of the person being abused and the seriousness of the situation. If they are in physical danger, our primary concern will be to ensure their safety.

In response to your alert, trained staff will carry out a careful and sensitive enquiry. We will provide information and advice to ensure informed choice about how best to protect and care for the abused person. There may be a need for an investigation and/or action to ensure protection from abuse.

Who is a vulnerable adult?

• People over 18
• People who may be in need of care because of frailty,  learning or physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health problem or drug or alcohol abuse. and:
• Are unable to take care of themselves or are unable to protect  themselves against significant harm or serious exploitation. ‘

More information about domestic violence.

Downloads

• Protecting Vulnerable Adults Multi-agency policy, procedures and protocols for handling alerts, investigations and Protection Plans-launched 24 November 2008.
• Keeping safe from abuse leaflet(pdf, 90KB) (information for adults with learning disabilities) from the PLD Team
• Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board(pdf, 269KB) (Annual Report - 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009)

Telephone 020 8487 5093 if you would like this leaflet in Braille, large print, audio tape or in another language.