Protection of Vulnerable Adults

The Protection of Vulnerable Adults is now firmly on the Government agenda.  'No Secrets' is the official government guidance issued by the Department of Health under Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (Published March 2000).  It states, 'There can be no secrets and no hiding places when it comes to the abuse of vulnerable adults'.  In April 2004, after a Health Select Committee Inquiry into the abuse of older people, a report was published containing 40 clear recommendations for improved practice that should better protect the elderly.  We were working to address these recommendations.

In Herefordshire, we have totally adopted the multi-disciplinary way of working outlined in 'No Secrets'.  We have a Multi-Agency Adult Protection Committee, which meets every 2 months and is chaired by the Head of Adult Social Care.

The committee is made up of the following statutory agencies.  We also have representatives from the independent and voluntary sectors:

• National Probation Service for England and Wales
• Herefordshire Council
• Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust
• Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)
• West Mercia Constabulary
• Herefordshire Primary Care Trust

The Terms of Reference of the committee are as follows:

'Our primary aim is to ensure that safe systems are in place to prevent all abuse (including neglect) wherever possible.  Where prevention fails, our brief is to have robust procedures clearly accessible to deal with incidents of abuse.  To these ends we are tasked with promoting best practice and raising awareness on new national and local initiatives.  We recognise that it is by working together with all stakeholders that we can best achieve these aims'.

We have a set policy and procedure for dealing with abuse.  The Herefordshire Multi-Agency Policy and Procedure for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults applies to every single vulnerable adult in the county.  The vulnerability may be as a result of physical or sensory impairment, learning disability, a mental health problem, age or illness, that could lead a person to be unable to care for him/herself or protect him/herself from significant harm or exploitation.  The procedure could also be applicable, in certain cases, to unpaid carers providing personal assistance and care to the above individuals.  It applies wherever the person is living; they may be in their own home, in a care home or nursing home, in supported accommodation or in hospital.  It applies right across the statutory, independent and voluntary sector and should be adhered to by all workers, whatever their role, in the field of health and social care.

This policy and procedure was widely distributed during the Autumn of 2003.  We are indebted by CSCI who ensured that all registered adult services within Herefordshire have a copy.

The policy has be found by clicking on the link in the resources box at the bottom of the page.

If you are concerned about anyone and would like to make a referral you can do so by telephoning your nearest Customer Services Officer (contact details listed below) explaining that you wish to make a referral under the Herefordshire Multi-Agency Policy and Procedure for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.  Your referral will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

East Team
Swan House
Edde Cross Street
Ross-On-Wye
Herefordshire  HR9 7BZ   
Telephone:  01432 383251
Fax:  01432 383268

West Team
The Old Priory
Leominster
Herefordshire  HR6 8EQ
Telephone:  01432 260660
Fax:  01568 610147

City Team
County Offices
Bath Street
Hereford  HR1 2HQ
Telephone:  01432 261627
Fax:  01432 261718

No abuse or neglect should ever go unchallenged

Please help us to make Herefordshire a safer place for those in our community who may need extra support to retain their independence and well-being.  They have every right to live a life that is free from abuse and neglect.  Our policy is one of zero tolerance of abuse.

If you ever have concerns about how your referral is being dealt with or you have a general query, please do not hesitate to contact the Adult Protection Co-Ordinator on 01432 261533 or email ssh_adults@herefordshire.gov.uk

Adult protection awareness raising training sessions

The Adult Protection Co-Ordinator offers 2-hour Adult Protection Awareness Raising Training Sessions.  If you would like to book a session for your organisation, please contact the Co-Ordinator on the number above.