Protecting adults from risk of harm and abuse

What to do if you suspect an adult is being abused

If you are worried about the immediate safety of a vulnerable person, call our Brent Adult Safeguarding team:

• Office hours (Mon – Fri 9am - 5pm), call: 020 8937 4300 (select Adult Social Care)
• Outside office hours (weekends, bank holidays and weekdays 5pm - 9am), call: the Emergency Duty Team on 020 8863 5250

You don’t need to be certain that abuse or neglect is happening to report it. If you have a concern, it’s OK to speak up — just tell us what you’ve seen or heard. We’ll take it seriously and decide the next steps.

We will ask for your details but you can choose not to share them.

Mental health support

If someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the Single Point of Access on 0800 0234 650.

Safeguarding is about protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It means working to prevent harm and responding when someone is at risk.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility — family, neighbours, professionals — but local councils have a legal duty to lead on safeguarding adults at risk.

The council’s safeguarding role

The council’s adult safeguarding responsibilities includes:

• promoting wellbeing and prevent abuse before it occurs
• providing information and advice to help people understand and avoid risks
• working with communities to build resilience and awareness
• making or arrange for enquiries when they suspect an adult is at risk
• coordinating with other agencies such as the NHS, police, housing, and voluntary sector
• Ensuring that safeguarding concerns are investigated appropriately.

We aim to put the adult at risk at the heart of the safeguarding process, listen to what they want and help them stay in control of decisions wherever possible.

An adult at risk is someone aged 18 or over who may be more vulnerable due to care or support needs. They may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.

This could include people who:

• rely on others for care or support
• are older, frail, or have difficulty moving around
• live with a learning disability, mental health condition or dementia
• have a sight or hearing impairment
• have a long-term health condition
• misuse drugs or alcohol.

Being at risk doesn’t mean abuse is happening, but it does mean someone may need extra support to stay safe.

Abuse is any action that causes harm, distress or exploitation to another person. It can make someone feel frightened, unsafe or unhappy — and it can happen to anyone, anywhere.

Types of abuse you can report

Abuse takes many forms. The most common include:

• Physical abuse: such as hitting, pushing, slapping, or misuse of medication.
• Sexual abuse: any unwanted sexual behaviour, including touching, assault or exposure to sexual material.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: threats, intimidation, humiliation, verbal abuse or controlling behaviour.
• Domestic abuse: abuse between family members or partners. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial or coercive.
• Financial abuse: theft, fraud, misuse of money, or being pressured to give away possessions or assets.
• Neglect and acts of omission: not being given proper food, medication, care or support, either on purpose or by neglect.
• Self-neglect and hoarding: when someone is unable or unwilling to care for their health, hygiene or home environment.
• Discriminatory abuse: targeted abuse based on age, disability, race, religion, gender identity or sexuality.
• Organisational abuse: poor care or neglect in care homes, hospitals or supported housing, often through bad practice.
• Modern slavery: being forced to work or live in inhumane conditions, including trafficking, forced labour or domestic servitude.

For more information on the signs of abuse and what to do, visit the NHS website. If you're concerned someone may be at risk, you can raise a concern.

Abuse can happen anywhere — in someone’s home, in a care setting, hospital, workplace or out in the community. It can be carried out by anyone: family, carers, professionals, friends, neighbours or strangers.

You might notice signs that something isn’t right. These can include:

• unexplained injuries, bruising or marks
• a person becoming withdrawn, tearful, anxious or fearful
• sudden changes in mood or behaviour
• poor hygiene, clothing that isn’t suitable or not being properly looked after
• weight loss or worsening health with no clear reason
• a lack of money or signs that someone may be taking advantage
• a carer being overly controlling or refusing visitors.

If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and report it.

All local authorities must have a Safeguarding Adults Board. The Board is made up of lots of different organisations in Brent, who have safeguarding responsibilities.

There are three statutory member organisations that must sit on the Board - the Police, Brent Council and the Integrated Care Board (Health).

Under the Care Act 2014, Safeguarding Adults Boards are required to co-ordinate and ensure the effectiveness of multi-agency working to safeguard adults in its area.

Safeguarding Adults Boards are required to:

• have strategic oversight to ensure organisations work together to prevent abuse and respond effectively
• develop local multi-agency policies, procedures and promote best practice
• ensure effective multi-agency collaboration and relationships
• promote knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities amongst professionals and the community
• conduct independent reviews when an adult at risk dies or is seriously harmed due to neglect or abuse. Then, identify multi-agency improvements to ensure lessons are learned.

The Brent Safeguarding Adults Board has its own independent website where it publishes its plans, annual reports and Safeguarding Adult Reviews. It also has further information about the duties of the Board as set out by the Care Act 2014 and statutory guidance.