All persons have the right to live their lives free from violence or other sorts of abuse, but in the 1980‟s and 90‟s a number of serious incidents came to light in which vulnerable adults had not received the protection and support they needed and had been subject to abuse.

The prevention of abuse of adults at risk is a collective responsibility of all sections of society. However, those agencies, professionals, independent sector organisations and voluntary groups working with, or in contact with adults at risk, hold a particular responsibility to ensure safe, effective services and to facilitate the prevention and early detection of abuse from whatever quarter, thus ensuring that appropriate protective action can be taken.

What Does The Organisation Do To Minimise Abuse

• In accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 adults at risk will be given information to support them in speaking out and protect themselves from abuse knowing they will be listened to and believed

• Training in safeguarding adults (adult protection) awareness and good care practice to staff and volunteers

• Identifying in advance potential abusers .i.e. thorough recruitment and selection procedure with appropriate checks with Disclosure & Barring Service Bereau – which holds a list of individuals barred from working in Care and Education and those with criminal records

• Minimising opportunities for abuse;

• Promoting “whistle blowing‟ – Ability for a worker to raise concern at any time about an incident that happened in the past, is happening now, or is believed will happen in the near future .

• Gathering information on activity around the management and investigation of alerts;

• Carry out quality audits on individual cases; and ensuring that the general public are aware that these procedures are in place and that steps are taken to protect adults at risk.