Concerned about an adult?

Safeguarding means protecting adults right to live in safety, free from abuse or neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adults wellbeing is promoted, including, where appropriate having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action.
This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships.

Abuse or neglect is an action, or lack of action, that leads to harm occurring to another person. Abuse or neglect may be deliberate or result from negligence or ignorance.

Members of the public have a vital role in safeguarding adults through the prevention and detection of Abuse. As a result, it is the responsibility of all agencies and professionals to play their part in ensuring that there is a good level of public awareness of adult Abuse and how concerns can and should be reported.

Any signs of Abuse should be reported – do not delay.

What can I do?

• If it is a medical emergency, call 999
• Don’t ignore it
• Talk to the person you feel is being abused
• Listen and make a note of times and details
• Report it by calling Merton’s Safeguarding Adults hotline on 0345 618 9762 open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Or by emailing safeguarding.adults@merton.gov.uk