The Care Act 2014 defines safeguarding as protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

Adult Safeguarding duties apply to an adult who;

• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the Local Authority is meeting any of those needs)
• Is experiencing, or at risk of abuse and neglect
• As a result of their care and support needs, is unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse and neglect

Identifying abuse and neglect

Incidents of abuse may be one-off or multiple and may affect one person or more. Repeated instances of poor care may be an indication of more serious problems and may be described as organisational abuse. Abuse can take place anywhere including a persons' home, hospital, care home, college and public place and by anyone. Statistically, a person is more likely to know their abuser.

• Physical abuse
  • Including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions
• Domestic violence
  • Including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse and so called 'honour' based violence
• Sexual abuse
  • Including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting
• Psychological
  • Including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks
• Financial or material abuse
  • Including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult's financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
• Modern slavery
  • Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment
• Discriminatory abuse
  • Includes forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion
• Organisational abuse
  • Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one's own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation
• Neglect and acts of omission
  • Including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating
• Self-neglect
  • This covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one's personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding

NHS Devon Safeguarding

Torbay and Devon Safeguarding Adults Partnership - Self neglect

Self-Neglect screening Tool