main content Protecting vulnerable adults from abuse

We are working with other organisations in Bromley to ensure that vulnerable adults live a life free from fear, are treated with respect and are not forced to do anything against their will.

Who are vulnerable adults?

A vulnerable  adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation. Adults may be vulnerable due to old age/frailty, mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities.

Details

Abuse is the violation of an individual's human and civil rights by any other person or persons. Abuse may consist of single or repeated acts.

Abuse can happen anywhere: in the vulnerable person's own home, out in the street, or in their care home or hospital.

Forms of abuse include:

• physical abuse e.g. hitting or pushing
• psychological abuse e.g. making threats, humiliating
• financial abuse e.g. theft, misuse of property, cash or benefits
• sexual abuse e.g. sexual acts that the vulnerable person does not consent to
• neglect e.g. ignoring a vulnerable person's medical needs
• discriminatory abuse e.g. abusing someone because of their race or sexuality

Who might be causing the abuse?

The person causing the abuse is often well known to the vulnerable person.

They could be:

• a paid carer or volunteer who visits the vulnerable adult in their own home or provides care in a care home or hospital
• a health, social care or other worker
• a relative, friend or neighbour
• another care home resident or service user
• someone who deliberately targets vulnerable people

What should you do if you are being abused or you are worried that someone is being abused?

You should contact one of the numbers below as soon as possible. You will be taken seriously and will receive prompt attention.

If your concern is about a care home or domiciliary care agency you may wish to contact the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).
Website: www.csci.org.uk
What if the abuse is also a crime?

If it is an emergency, contact the emergency services by dialling 999.

If the abuse is a crime you should contact the police. Social services can assist you with this and, as a vulnerable person, you will get support during the police investigation.

What will happen next?

This will depend on the seriousness of the situation and what you would like to do about it.

If you are in danger we will ensure that a care manager or health worker talks to you immediately to plan how to stop the abuse happening again.

Contacts

We can provide a range of services and advice to support vulnerable people and their carers.

Police:

• call 999 in an emergency, otherwise call Bromley police Community Safety Unit . Telephone: 020 8284 8760 

For people who are older, or  have learning disabilities or physical disabilities

If this is your first contact with Social Services OR you  already receive services and your circumstances change OR there is an emergency then your first point of contact will be through the front- line contact service (Bromley Social Services Direct) on 020 8461 7777. Minicom: 020 8464 7350. Assistance is available on this number from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Adults under 65 with mental health problems
Bromley Telephone:  020 8466 2500
Penge Telephone:  020 8659 2151
Orpington Telephone:  01689 877787

Out of Hours Contact
Emergency Duty Social Worker
Telephone:  020 8464 4848 

Please select this link for your local Social Services Area Office.