Southwark Carers work with local people and our partners so that children or vulnerable adults at risk are safe and able to protect themselves from abuse and neglect and be treated fairly, with dignity and respect plus access to the services that they need.

About vulnerable adults

The definition of a vulnerable adult is taken from the Department of Health guidance ‘No Secrets’ issued in 2000.

A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 or above:

‘Who is, or may be in need of Community Care Services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself from significant harm or exploitation.’

An abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons.  Abuse includes physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse, material neglect and acts of omission, and institutional and discriminatory abuse.

Good communication between all professional staff is essential for the protection of vulnerable adults. All the agencies involved in working with vulnerable people in Southwark work within the London Multi-agency Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

All employers and employees are required to act in accordance with London Multi-agency Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and act on any information that comes to their attention which gives reasonable grounds to suspect that a vulnerable adult had been, is being or could be abused.