No Secrets - Abuse

							  there can be no secrets
  Abuse or mistreatment of vulnerable adults
  Information for workers


Who is a vulnerable adult?                           • 	 may be the result of neglect, including
                                                         ignoring medical or physical care needs, the
A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 or
                                                         withholding of adequate food, heat,
over who is or may be in need of community
                                                         clothing and medication
care services by reason of:
                                                     • 	 may be discriminatory, including racism,
• 	 mental or other disability, age or illness,
                                                         sexism, based on a person’s disability, and
    and
                                                         other forms of similar treatment
• who is or may be unable to take care of
                                                     • 	 may be institutional abuse or mistreatment
  him/herself, or
                                                         by a regime or by any individual within any
• is unable to protect him/herself from                  building where care is provided.
  significant harm or serious exploitation.

                                                     Initial Response All Agencies
What is abuse or mistreatment?
                                                     Abuse discovered or suspected:
Abuse or mistreatment:
                                                     • 	 refer to your organisation’s procedures.
• can be a violation of individuals’ human
  or civil rights by another person or persons
                                                     If the person is in immediate danger:
                                                     • 	 contact emergency services, including
• 	 may consist of a single act or repeated acts
                                                         the Police
• 	 can occur in any relationship or setting
                                                     • inform your manager or any other manager
• 	 may result in harm to, or serious                  within the organisation immediately
    exploitation of, the person subjected to it
                                                     • 	 refer to Cheshire East Council.
• 	 may be physical, including hitting, slapping,
    punching, kicking, misuse of medication,         If the person is not in immediate danger:
    restraint, or inappropriate sanctions            • inform your manager immediately
• 	 may be sexual, including rape and sexual         • discuss what you have seen or heard
    assault or sexual acts to which the person
                                                     • 	 explain why you think abuse has taken
    has not consented or was pressured into
                                                         place
    consenting
                                                     • give as much information as possible
• 	 may be psychological, including emotional
    abuse, threats, humiliation, intimidation,       • 	 refer to Cheshire East Council if your
    verbal abuse                                         concerns involve the actions of a manager
• 	 may be financial or material, including theft,   • inform another, more senior manager
    fraud, exploitation, the misuse or                 immediately.
    misappropriation of property, possessions
    or benefits


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Record all your actions                          More information can be obtained from
Please note that where your concerns involve     Cheshire East Access Team
a registered home a referral should always be    The Town Hall
made to the relevant Inspection Authority        Market Place
who has a statutory duty to investigate such     Macclesfield
concerns, as well as Cheshire East Council.      SK10 1DX
                                                 Tel: 01625 374700
                                                 Fax: 01625 374165
Management Response                              email: accesseast@cheshireeast.gov.uk
All Agencies
On receipt of an allegation, complaint or        Opening Times
suspicion follow the referring procedure in      Mon-Thurs     8.30am-5.00pm
Cheshire East Council Inter Agency Policy        Fri           8.30am-4.30pm
Procedures and Guidance.
Where the allegation, complaint or suspicion     Out of hours Emergency Duty Team
involves a member of staff inform a more         Tel: 01606 76611
senior manager - your manager may also look      Fax: 01606 275776
at other relevant procedures.
Where the allegation, complaint or suspicion     Cheshire East Council
is related to concerns about a registered        General Public Enquiries
Care Home for adults a referral should also be   Tel: 0300 123 5500
made to the relevant Inspection Authority        www.cheshireeast.gov.uk
who has a statutory duty to investigate such
concerns.                                        This factsheet is available in alternative
                                                 formats, including large print, Braille, tape and
Where there is reason to believe that a crime
                                                 other languages on request from
has been committed tell Cheshire East
                                                 Cheshire East Council Communications,
Council Access Team and inform the Police if
                                                 Westfields,
the person is in immediate danger.
                                                 Sandbach CW11 1HU
                                                 Phone 01270 529799
In all cases where there are concerns, a
                                                 www.cheshireeast.gov.uk
referral should be made to the local Cheshire
East Council Office.




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