Recognising concerns about adults at risk

Adult safeguarding is about protecting people with care and support needs who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect. In optical practice, concerns most often involve older adults, disabled adults or people with cognitive impairment, mental ill health, communication needs, serious illness, social isolation or controlling relationships.

Forms of adult abuse and neglect

• Physical abuse: hitting, rough handling, restraint or unexplained injury.
• Domestic abuse: violence, threats, coercive control, isolation or intimidation by a partner or family member.
• Sexual abuse: sexual contact, pressure or exposure without consent.
• Psychological or emotional abuse: threats, humiliation, controlling behaviour or intimidation.
• Financial or material abuse: theft, pressure over money, misuse of benefits or another person controlling purchases.
• Neglect or self-neglect: unmet care needs, poor hygiene, unsafe living conditions or inability to access support.
• Discriminatory, organisational or modern slavery concerns: harm linked to prejudice, poor services, exploitation or control.

Respect the adult while acting on risk

Listen to the adult and involve them as far as possible. Their wishes matter, but staff must report where there is serious risk, coercion, possible crime, concern about capacity, risk to others or uncertainty about what to do.

Adult principles, capacity and four-nations context

Adult safeguarding balances respect for the adult's wishes with acting when abuse, neglect, coercion or serious risk may be present.