www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Social services - vulnerable adults - protection - frequently asked questions
What is Abuse?
Abuse can be physical, sexual, financial, psychological or discriminatory or may involve neglect. Institutional abuse can occur when services have poor standards, ill treat service users and do not respect their rights
Where can abuse happen?
Abuse can happen anywhere including in someone’s own home, a friend or relative’s home, a care home, a hospital, within a day care service or in a public place.
Who might be carrying out the abuse?
The person carrying out the abuse may be a partner, friend or relative, someone employed to provide a service to the vulnerable person, a volunteer or another service user.
What should you do if you think a vulnerable person is being abused?
If you have concerns about the safety and well being of a vulnerable person please contact the Community Care Information Point for your area.
In the evening and weekends please contact the Emergency Duty Service.
If they are injured or you have concerns for their immediate safety please phone 999 (your call will be recorded).
Further information
View information on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults in Swindon.
Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council both use the Policy and Procedures for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Abuse in Swindon and Wiltshire (2001) to investigate allegations that a vulnerable adult is being abused. Details of who to contact in Swindon is available either on the Swindon Borough Council website or by viewing the No Secrets in Swindon and Wiltshire (2001).
Elder Abuse
If you are concerned about the abuse of an older person in Wiltshire please contact one of the Community Care Information Points or the Police Vulnerable Person’s Unit.
If you are worried about the abuse of an older person living outside Wiltshire you can contact the local authority in which they live or the Elder Abuse Response Line: Telephone: 080 8808 8141 (Monday - Friday 10am - 4.30pm)
Information about elder abuse is available from Action on Elder Abuse
If you would like a copy of the following documents please contact us using by one of the methods listed below:
Policy and Procedures for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Abuse in Swindon and Wiltshire (2001) - Download
No Secrets in Swindon and Wiltshire (2001) - Download
A copy of the “No Secrets” (2000) guidance issued by the Department of Health and the Home Office is available on the Department of Health website.
By Post
Social Care Help Desk
Wiltshire County Council
Department of Community Services
(Adult Social Care Services)
County Hall
Trowbridge
BA14 8LE
By Email
socialcarehelpdesk@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713001
By Fax
01225 713355
Useful Links
There are many organisations that work together to ensure the safety and well being of vulnerable adults in Wiltshire. Some of them are listed below:
The Bobby Van
The Bobby Van can offer advice about safety and security in your home.
Telephone: 0225 794692
Commission for Social Care Inspection
Information on care standards and copies of reports on Care Home Inspections can be obtained from the Commission for Social Care Inspection
Telephone: 01249 454550
Community Safety
If you have concerns about community safety issues you can contact one of the District Council Community Safety Officers:
West Wiltshire: 01225 776655
North Wiltshire: 01249 706111
Kennet: 01380 724911
South Wiltshire: 01722 336272
Distraction Burglary / Trading Standards
If you are concerned about traders who you think are exploiting a vulnerable person contact one of the Police Vulnerable Person’s Units or the Consumer Direct Helpline.
Consumer Direct Helpline: 0845 404506
Victim Support
Victim Support provides advice and support to people who have been victims of a crime
Victim Support: Telephone: 01380 729476
Other Useful Contacts
Alternatively you could contact the Police Vulnerable Adults’ Units
North and West Wilts : 01249 449760
Kennet and Salisbury : 01722 435225
Swindon : 01793507828
Police Out of Hours
Wiltshire : 01380 722341
Swindon : 01793 528111
