ALL WALES PROCEDURES FOR PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS

1. ALL WALES PROCEDURES FOR PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS

2. There have been significant changes over the last ten years in the field of Adult Protection. In Safe Hands 2000 SEW Policy in 2003 One policy and procedure document for use across Wales – 2011

3. Launch Date – April 4th for All Wales policy New Documentation New procedures within BG Consistency with other LA’s Updated training New process for investigations Arrangements in Blaenau Gwent

4. A Vulnerable Adult is: ‘a person over 18 years of age who is, or may be in need of community care services, by reason of mental or other disability, age, or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of himself or herself, or unable to protect himself or herself against significant harm or serious exploitation’ A person’s vulnerability will depend on his/her circumstances What is a Vulnerable Adult

5. Abuse is ‘a violation of a individual’s human and civil rights, by any other person or persons which results in significant harm’ What is Abuse?

6. Significant harm refers to: Ill-treatment (including sexual abuse and forms of ill treatment that are not physical) Impairment of, or an avoidable deterioration in, physical or mental health Impairment of physical, emotional, social or behavioural development The impact of abuse on individuals is personal to them Significant Harm

7. In Safe Hands identifies five types of abuse: Physical Sexual Financial Emotional or psychological Neglect Categories

8. Abuse always falls into one of the five categories above but important work has been undertaken into particular forms and contexts of abuse that can inform action taken both to prevent abuse and in response to abuse taking place. Self neglect Institutional abuse Discrimination and hate crime Disability hate crime Abuse by a stranger Domestic abuse Forced marriage Other forms of abuse

9. The Adult Protection Policy and Procedures apply in situations where one vulnerable adult abuses another vulnerable adult. In some settings, this behaviour may historically have been tolerated or ignored. This is not acceptable and must no longer happen. Abuse by another vulnerable adult

10. Every adult has the right to make his or her own decisions and must be assumed to have capacity to do so unless it is proved otherwise Mental capacity should always be assessed in relation to the specific activity or issue that is being considered. Mental Capacity

11. In adult protection it is vital to consider if a vulnerable adult is capable of giving consent. Where a vulnerable adult with capacity has made a decision that they do not want action taken, this will be respected unless not acting will put other vulnerable adults or children at risk Consent

12. If the vulnerable adult seems able to make an informed decision and does not want action or intervention, their wishes should be respected, unless: there is a statutory duty to intervene (e.g. a crime may have been committed or may well be); or public interest e.g. another person or people are put at risk; or it is suspected the vulnerable adult may be under the undue influence of someone else. Duty to proceed

13. A risk assessment should be completed for all referrals On receiving the referral, the DLM should begin completing the initial Risk Assessment Recording Sheet Throughout the process the adult protection risk assessment review form At the end of the adult protection process, risk assessments should be considered and used to inform all future care and service delivery. Risk assessing

14. A referral must be made to Social Services, Health or the Police as soon as possible and in any case within one working day of the alert. The referral must highlight the perceived level of risk to the vulnerable adult (s) and others. Referral

15. There are two possible conclusions of the initial evaluation: Either the referral meets the threshold for further action to be taken under the Adult Protection Policy and Procedures, or The referral does not meet the threshold. A referral meets the threshold for adult protection if the initial evaluation concludes that it is likely that the alleged victim is a vulnerable adult and it is likely that they have been, or are at risk of being, abused and that this is likely to result in significant harm. Threshold

16. Definitions Agency responsibilities 10 Stages Flowchart Timescales Summary Document

17. Any Questions And Finally ……….