main content Speaking out to protect adults

It is vital that when someone suspects a vulnerable adult is being abused, they can recognise the signs and know where to go with their concerns. Led by the Council, the Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board brings together organisations across the borough involved with the care of vulnerable adults and it has now produced a leaflet to raise awareness with the public and organisations about the issue.

The leaflet has been produced with Bromley Sparks, a self advocacy group for people with learning disabilities, to make sure it is as accessible as possible. It is available at numerous outlets across the borough including local police stations, libraries, Citizen’s Advice offices, health clinics and Age Concern.

Said Terry Rich, Director of the Council’s Adult and Community Services and Chairman of the Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board: “Speaking out isn’t always an easy thing to do if you suspect someone is suffering abuse. But it is the right thing to do and we owe it to them to act on our concerns. This leaflet will help people understand what constitutes abuse, whether physical, financial or verbal, and to spot the signs and to give them guidance on where to go so that it can be dealt with effectively.”

The leaflet is part of Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board work to improve awareness and recognition of adult abuse in the general public and partner organisations; to ensure a co-ordinated and effective response to reports of the abuse of vulnerable adults through effective training and to monitor and evaluate the operation of the safeguarding policy and procedures to improve partnership working

ENDS


Notes to editors:

• Led by Bromley Council’s social services department, Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board has representatives of all the organisations in Bromley involved with caring for vulnerable adults. The organisations include London Borough of Bromley, Carers Bromley, Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust, Bromley PCT, Bromley Metropolitan Police, CSCI, Victim Support and Learning Disabilities Forum.
• How to stop abuse leaflet.
• Since the local elections in 2002, the council has been led by a Conservative administration. Full council is made up of 60 elected councillors – 49 Conservative, 7 Liberal Democrat and 4 Labour – representing 22 wards across the borough. 
• For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Day, Communications Officer, on 020 8313 4390 or email amanda.day@bromley.gov.uk
• For party political comment please contact:
  Conservative - michael.tickner@zip-mail.co.uk
  Labour – john.getgood@bromley.gov.uk
  Liberal Democrat – david.mcbride@bromley.gov.uk