Safeguarding vulnerable adults in Waltham Forest

The safeguarding adults policy and procedure was developed in consultation with all partner agencies, through the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) and Safeguarding Adults Working Group (SAWG).

The organisations represented include the Primary Care Trust (PCT), NHS Hospital Trust, North East London Mental Health Trust (NELMHT), Metropolitan Police and independent and voluntary sector providers.

Who is a “vulnerable adult’’?

Anyone aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of or protect themselves because they have a physical or sensory disability, learning difficulties, mental health needs or are frail older people.

What do we mean by abuse?

Abuse is a violation of a person’s right or dignity by someone else. There are many kinds of abuse; some are listed below:

Physical

Including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, restraint or inappropriate sanctions.

Sexual

Including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, could not consent or was pressured into consenting.

Psychological

Including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.

Financial or material

Including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

Neglect or acts of omission

Including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health care, social care, education services or misuse of medication, adequate nutrition or heating.

Discriminatory:

Including racist, sexist behaviour and harassment based on a person’s ethnicity, race, culture, sexual orientation, age or disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

Who may abuse?

Anyone might! For example, relatives and family members, professional staff, paid care workers, volunteers, other service users, neighbours, friends and associates, and strangers

What should you do if you are worried?

If you are the victim of abuse, or you know someone who you think is being or has been abused, then it is really important to seek help.

Contact your nearest Social Services office, health team or the Police. Tell the person that you speak to that you are worried about possible adult abuse. You will be put in touch with the most appropriate person to talk to.

What happens after your contact?

The Social Care or Health Care staff will find out as much as possible about what has happened. An investigation will be carried out and a protection plan will be put in place. Arrangements will be also made to safeguard the vulnerable adult from any future abuse.

Contact the safeguarding adults team

You can call the Safeguarding Adults team in confidence on:
Tel 020 8496 3497 or 020 8496 3459
Fax 020 8496 3665
Email safeadults@walthamforest.gov.uk

Adult Protection Team
Silver Birch House
Uplands Business Park
Blackhorse Lane
Walthamstow  E17 5SD
Tel Call 020 8496 3000 and ask for the Adult Protection Team
Fax 020 8496 3658

Please note: this building is not open to personal visitors

Downloading copies of policy and supporting documents

Click on a link below to download copies of the Adults Protection leaflets, policy guidelines or incident reporting form.

Picture of the cover of the safeguarding adults leaflet

Redbridge Adult Social Services safeguarding adults information