Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

Safeguarding means protecting vulnerable adults from harm or exploitation.  As a Local Authority, we have a duty to protect vulnerable adults.  Everyone in the community also has a responsibility to report any instances of abuse. 

Vulnerable adults are people (aged over 18) who need care services due to mental health needs, disability, age or illness, and who are unable to protect themselves against harm or exploitation. This includes people who are in residential care and those living in the community.

Abuse can take many forms, and isn't always obvious. It could be; physical, sexual, emotional, financial, discriminatory or institutional - resulting in harm or neglect.  It could occur in someone's own home, a carer's home, in day or residential care, in a nursing home or hospital.

How do I report abuse?

Abuse is never ok. If you are being abused, or believe that someone is being abused, it is important to tell someone. Do this as soon as you can using one of the following methods.

• Contact Southend Police Station on (01702) 431212
• Contact Ask SAL - Safeguarding Adults Helpline on 08452 66 66 63
• Complete the online form on the right. Guidance on completing this form can be found in our related downloads section, also on the right of this page.

Ask SAL - the Safeguarding Adults helpline

You can call Ask SAL for information and advice about abuse and the safety of vulnerable adults, or to disclosure concerns about your own safety or that of somebody that you know. You can get the Ask SAL number sent to you by text by texting ASKSAL to 60777.

The Ask SAL helpline is a partnership project between the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Safeguarding Adults Boards and Essex County Council.

Find out more on the Ask SAL website using the link in the useful websites section on the right.