Concerned about an adult?

Noticing is not nosiness. If you are concerned about an adult, report it.

In the last year, a total of 22,240 reports of adult abuse were raised across Kent and Medway.

Adults can be at risk of different kinds of abuse and it can happen anywhere. This could be self-neglecting, or when someone else treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions. People who abuse are not always strangers, they can also be partners, relatives, a friend, neighbour or carer.

The Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board (KMSAB) is supporting the Ann Craft Trust National Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week (18-22 November) and is calling on people and organisations to come together to raise awareness of important adult safeguarding issues and how to notice and report these, facilitate conversations and learn about safeguarding best practice.

Whether it’s a sudden change in the appearance or behaviour of a friend or family member or concerns about an aspect of someone’s care in a care home, such information could be vital in helping authorities protect adults from exploitation and abuse.

This year the theme is ‘working in partnership’ and covers how organisations and individuals can work together to take steps to reduce the risk of harm occurring in the first instance, whilst also ensuring correct policies and procedures are in place so that any safeguarding concerns raised, are recognised, and responded to effectively.

Each day of the week will focus on a different safeguarding theme:

• Monday – Look, Listen, Ask - Developing Professional Curiosity
• Tuesday – Working in partnership: How to work effectively with the people you support
• Wednesday – Establishing Professional Boundaries
• Thursday – Recognising exploitation: The ladder of criminality
• Friday - Professional and organisational learning

Andy Rabey, Chair of the KMSAB said: "People working together can make a huge difference in preventing the abuse and neglect of adults at risk. Whether this is people in the community supporting each other to get the help they need, professionals collaborating and sharing their knowledge, or residents and professionals working together, we all have a part to play. In the last year, my KMSAB colleagues and I have visited a broad range of organisations to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding adults, from ones you may expect such as charities, faith leaders and community hubs, to ones you may not, like the Kent Wildlife Trust, Gillingham football club and the prison service. Safeguarding is everyone's business and the impact of someone recognising the signs of abuse cannot be overstated”.

The Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board has used the Ann Craft Trust resources to put together a KMSAB Media Pack, where resources specifically for Kent and Medway organisations can be found. For further information visit: Kent and Medway SAB - Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week 2024 (kmsab.org.uk)

For information on the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board and how to report abuse, visit https://www.kmsab.org.uk

For more information on the Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week visit: Working in Partnership: Safeguarding Adults Week 18 – 22 November 2024 - Ann Craft Trust

To report a rogue trader or a scam, contact Citizen Advice consumer service (CACS) helpline 03454 040506 who will then contact your local Trading Standards.

To report non-urgent incidents to Kent Police go to kent.police.uk/report. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Adult abuse. See it, report it, stop it.

#SafeguardingAdultsWeek #SeeReportStop

ENDS.