A report raised at Cornwall Council’s Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee details improvements made to the way vulnerable adults are supported in Cornwall.
The improvements include making sure there is clear guidance for those making adult safeguarding referrals and clearer information on the council’s website.
A new online referral form helps users provide the information needed to enable quicker triaging and decision making.
Cllr Andy Virr, Cornwall Council cabinet member for adult social care and health, said:
“The report was requested by the committee because Cornwall receives a higher-than-average number of adult safeguarding referrals.
“This report looks at this in depth to make sure the right action is being taken so that people are getting the right support at the right time. We are always looking at ways in which we can improve how we support adults, so we welcome the opportunity to present this to the committee for feedback.
“Regular audits have found that a large proportion of the concerns raised did not evidence any reasonable cause to suspect abuse, alongside some that were not required to be alerted to adult social care at all. Overall, it is encouraging that people feel confident to report their concerns.”
An adult safeguarding concern is shared with Cornwall Council’s safeguarding team by a member of the public or a professional when they have concerns about an adult experiencing abuse or neglect.
Care and support statutory guidance identifies ten types of abuse, which are:
- Physical abuse
- Domestic violence or abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Psychological or emotional abuse
- Financial or material abuse
- Modern slavery
- Discriminatory abuse
- Organisational or institutional abuse
- Neglect or acts of omission
- Self-neglect
More information and the online form to make a referral can be found on the council's Safeguarding Adults web pages
More information on adult safeguarding
You can also find out more on the Safeguarding Adult's Board website
Safeguarding Adults Board website
Or If you are:
- an adult experiencing abuse or neglect
- or are concerned about an adult experiencing abuse or neglect
You can telephone on 0300 1234 131.
The report also details more information on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).