Toggle Contrast

I use services for adults

Safeguarding is about protecting children, young people and adults at risk from abuse or neglect. We hope this website provides you with plenty of information, guidance and help. 

What types of abuse are there? 

Being abused means a person is being deliberately hurt by someone else. 

Abuse may be a single act, or it can continue over a long time and may take different forms: 

  • Physical 
  • Sexual 
  • Financial 
  • Psychological 
  • Discriminatory abuse 
  • Neglect or acts of omission 
  • Organisational 
  • Self-neglect 
  • Domestic abuse 
  • Modern slavery.

Who abuses adults? 

Anyone can carry out abuse or neglect including: 

  • A partner, son, daughter, relative, friend or acquaintance 
  • A person who is paid to care for someone, or a volunteer carer 
  • People who work in social care or health care 
  • A stranger – some people will deliberately abuse adults they see as an easy target. 
  • Most abusers are people close to the adult, whom they know and trust. 

Safeguarding adults is about preventing and responding to allegations of abuse, harm or neglect of adults at risk across Dudley Borough. 

DSPP aims to work with local people and our partners so that 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. 

An online safeguarding referral form is available that can be used by any agency, organisation or individual to alert Dudley Council to allegations or concerns about potential abuse of an adult at risk 

Professionals will always take it seriously when someone reports abuse, or a situation which they think could lead to abuse. 

Everyone is different and will need different support or advice depending on their situation. What we do next will depend on things like: 

  • How much danger the person is in. 

For example, if the person is in physical danger, or if there is a chance that the abuse reported could happen again. 

  • How much support the person needs. 

Some people will need lots of support in their daily lives, so might need more support to stay safe. 

  • What the person wants to happen. 

Sometimes people do not want support from the council or other organisations like the police or health services. 

Click on the link below for further information related to safeguarding adults. 

More information on adult safeguarding case studies.