Keeping you safe from abuse and neglect

INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH SOCIAL CARE NEEDS AND FAMILY AND FRIEND CARERS

Protecting people’s right to live in safety, free from abuse or neglect is an important and basic part of our work.

There are many different types of abuse and neglect. They may be physical, sexual, financial, psychological or discriminatory. They can involve neglect (failing to care for someone properly) or self- neglect (failing to care for yourself properly). They can also include domestic violence and modern slavery.

Abuse or neglect can take place at home, in a care home, in a hospital, in a day centre, at work, at school or at college or outside in the community. The abuse may be caused by a partner, family or friend carer, relative, friend, care worker, stranger or someone else with care and support needs. It may be deliberate or unintentional. If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be being abused or neglected, it is important that you report your concerns.

Abuse and neglect can sometimes be prevented if concerns are identified and raised as early as possible.

If you would like to raise an adult safeguarding concern you can fill in an online form which you can find on our website. Visit westsussex.gov.uk and search for ‘raise a concern about an adult’. You can also contact our Adults’ CarePoint. Please see our contact details on the 'Contact us' page.

In an emergency, make sure you stay safe and call 999 or Sussex Police on 101. If you report a concern to us, our staff will:
• respond sensitively and take your concerns seriously;
• talk to the person who is at risk to find out what they want to happen;
• support the person to have an advocate (someone to represent them and help them say what they want) if they need one;
• talk to the police if a crime has been committed;
• talk to other agencies, such as the NHS or the Care Quality Commission; and
• agree the best way of helping the person.