Safeguarding – Abuse or neglect
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger phone the police on 999. If you’re not able to speak, press 55 at any time and you’ll be automatically transferred to the police.
We have a responsibility to make sure that the people in our communities can live their lives free from abuse and harm. Especially people who can’t speak up for themselves - children, young people and vulnerable adults. We call this safeguarding.
What to look out for?
Abuse can be carried out by anyone and often it is hidden. Usually by someone that the person knows and trusts. It could be a family member, a partner, a relative or a carer.
Abuse can come in many forms, and here are some things to look out for:
- Behaviour – they are not their usual selves, they may become withdrawn, depressed or angry or aggressive for little reason.
- Personal hygiene – they may not take as much care as normal with their appearance, such as not bathing, shaving or washing their hair.
- Lifestyle – they may stop going out, not have any money to access leisure services or buy food, not welcome visitors, not want to be left alone with certain people or lose their appetite.
- Injuries – they may have unexplained or frequent cuts and bruises.
- Their homes – they might start to hoard, or you notice that they don’t look after their home like they used to, it may be unclean or unsafe.
What to do if you think someone is being abused
If you think someone is being abused, finding it difficult to cope or you are being abused, please get in touch, so we can help.
All information is confidential, and we will make sure that we contact you in a way that makes sure you feel safe.
- Call us on 0300 323 0325