Safeguarding Adults
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Telephone: 0808 2000 247
Website: www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Telephone: 03000 616161
Website: www.cqc.org.uk
Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
Action on Elder Abuse (National Helpline)
Telephone: 08088 088141
Website: www.elderabuse.org.uk
Victim Support Helpline
Telephone: 0845 3030 900
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Action on Elder Abuse 
Action on Elder Abuse,, PO BOX 60001,, Streatham, London (South West), SW16 9BY
Telephone: 020 8835 9280
Alderdale Safeguarding Adults
Cumbria
Telephone: 01900 706325 / Out of Hours: 01228 526690
Anglesey Protection Of Vulnerable Adults
Isle of Anglesea (Ynys Môn)
Telephone: 01248 752752 / Out of Hours: 01248 353551
Ask SAL (Safeguarding Adults Line)
Essex
Telephone: 08452 66 66 63
Avon & Somerset Police
Somerset
Telephone: 0845 456 7000 / Or in an emergency: 999
Avon & Somerset Police
Bristol
Telephone: 0845 456 7000 / Or in an emergency: 999
Avon & Somerset Police
Gloucestershire
Telephone: 0845 456 7000 / Or in an emergency - 999
Barking and Dagenham Safeguarding Adults Team
London (North East)
Telephone: 020 8724 8859
Barnet Safeguarding Adults
London (North)
Telephone: 020 8359 5000
Barnsley Safeguarding Adults
South Yorkshire
Telephone: 01226 770770
Barrow-in-Furness Safeguarding Adults
Cumbria
Telephone: 01229 407894 / Out of Hours: 01228 526690
Bath & NE Somerset Safeguarding Access Team
Somerset
Telephone: 01225 396000 / Emergency Duty team - 01454 615165
Bedford Borough Safeguarding Adults
Bedfordshire
Telephone: 01234 276222 / Out of Hours: 0300 300 8123
Bedfordshire Police
Bedfordshire
Telephone: 01234 841212 / Emergencies: 999
Bexley Safeguarding Adults
London (South East)
Telephone: 01322 356363 / Out of Hours: 0208 3030 7777
Birmingham City Safeguarding Adults
West Midlands
Telephone: 0121 303 4917 / Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours): 0121 675 4806
Blackburn with Darwen
Lancashire
Telephone: 01254 584589 / Out of Hours: 01254 587547
Blackpool Adult Duty Line
Lancashire
Telephone: 01253 477592 / Out of Hours: 01253 477600
Blaenau Gwent Protecting Vulnerable Adults
Blaenau Gwent
Telephone: 01495 315700 / Out of Hours: 0800 328 4432
Bolton Safeguarding Adults
Greater Manchester
Telephone: 01204 333464 / Out of Hours: 01204 337777
Adult Safeguarding
‘Social care has an important role in the
protection of members of the public before harm has happened and after it has
happened’
Those who need safeguarding help are often elderly and frail, living on their own in the community, or without much family support in care homes. They are often people with physical or learning disabilities and people with mental health needs at risk of suffering harm both in institutions and in the community.
Safeguarding encompasses three key concepts: protection, justice and empowerment. Social care has an important role in the protection of members of the public from harm – before harm has happened and after it has happened. This includes ensuring that services and support are delivered in ways that are high quality and safe.
©Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) 2011
Improved protection for vulnerable adults
The Government has announced that vulnerable adults living in care in England will be given increased protection from abuse.
Health Minister Paul Burstow made the promise after a BBC Panorama investigation sparked national outrage by showing staff at a privately run hospital mistreating patients with learning disabilities.
He said he is committed to strengthening safeguards for vulnerable adults and details of 'safeguarding' boards like those for vulnerable children are set to be published over the next two weeks.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Burstow said: 'It comes as a surprise to people that the statutory basis for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults in this country is much weaker than that which exists for children.
'I'm committed to follow through on some recommendations we have received recently from the Law Commission to implement statutory safeguarding rules that will require the police the NHS, social services to work together.'
Before the Panorama broadcast Mr Burstow had acknowledged the need for improvements, but the footage, which shows carers punching, slapping and taunting people with learning difficulties had drawn attention to the issue, officials said.
Panorama's reporter spent five weeks working undercover at Winterbourne View in Bristol, capturing shocking footage of patients being pinned down and dragged into showers while fully clothed.
Following the investigation four people have been released on police bail and 13 members of staff have been suspended by owners Castlebeck.
The hospital is a privately owned, purpose-built, 24-bed facility funded by the taxpayer.
© Press Association 2011
