In the final part of the Safeguarding Adults Week 2022 there’s been coverage of how to look out for signs of abuse and how to act, in Safeguarding in Everyday Life.

Derbyshire Safeguarding Adults Board have produced a video on spotting the signs of abuse and neglect which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTrmiJZ6yL8 (opens a new link to a video on youtube)

Signs of Abuse

• You may become concerned that someone is being abused in a number of ways: the person may tell you, the person may say something that worries you, you may see something – an incident or an injury or other sign.
• You might see and/or hear something happen: someone being bullied or intimidated, someone being made to feel frightened or unhappy, someone in a situation of unnecessary risk.
• The person or somebody else might say something that gives cause for concern, for example: a colleague, family member, member of the public.
• There might be physical signs or unexplained or unusual injuries: bruises, slap marks, black eyes, bleeding, burns or scalding, cigarette marks, torn, stained or blood-stained clothes.
• There may be other signs such as: inappropriate, dirty or soiled clothes, no food or drink available for the person, bills not being paid or services, e.g. telephone cut off, shortage of money.
• The person might say things or behave in a way that causes you concern: the person may seem unhappy or distressed, the person may appear frightened, anxious or agitated without an obvious cause, or in relation to certain people, have sleeping problems, constant visits to the toilet without a medical reason, other unexplained changes in how the person behaves.
• The behaviour of a colleague or other person might cause concern: dismissive or intolerant attitude, task/routine orientated rather than person focused, not a team player; insists on doing tasks on their own or in their way; secretive about contact with clients, oversteps professional boundaries with clients and colleagues, maybe overfriendly; neglects professional development.

You may not know. It is enough that you are worried.

If you are concerned that an adult is being abused or neglected, you should report it to the Police or Adult Social Care without delay.

In an emergency contact the Police on 999. If you think there has been a crime but it is not an emergency, call 101.

Read through the briefing by clicking here for more details. (opens a new tab)