Safeguarding  - Central Bedfordshire Council

Safeguarding adults

Help and advice for vulnerable people being abused

Are you living in fear?
Is someone treating you badly?
Don't be afraid to speak out now!

Call the Safeguarding Adults Helpline on 0300 300 8122

Safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse

Are you living in fear? Is someone treating you badly? Don't be afraid to speak out now! Call the Safeguarding Adults Helpline on 0300 300 8122 Making sure you are safe

Here you will find how to get help and advice if you or someone you know is vulnerable and being mistreated or abused. It is important to remember that if you are being abused it is not your fault. The Council takes abuse of vulnerable people very seriously - we will listen to your concerns and give you a prompt response.

Please use the links on the left hand side of the page for further information regarding Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults from Abuse.

These pages are about vulnerable people who are over 18. If you are concerned about a child's welfare, please visit the child protection pages of the website child protection

For further information, enquiries and advice call 0300 300 8122

Fax us on 0300 300 8239

Email adult.protection@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

After hours emergencies only call 0300 300 8123

What is abuse?

Safeguarding adults - forms and guidance

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Team

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults team is a small team of senior social workers and support workers. They are experienced in working with vulnerable adults.

How to report abuse

If you are being abused or suspect that someone you know may be the victim of abuse, please contact us for advice and guidance. We will listen to your concerns and might ask questions so we understand the circumstances. We will not normally do anything or share information with other people without the permission of the person who is being abused. The exception to this is when others may be at risk of abuse or the person is not able to make decisions for themselves.

Stop abuse now and phone us on 0300 300 8122.

Key Responsibilities

For further information please view the document Central Bedfordshire Council Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Team - Key Responsibilities
(PDF 689KB)

Local Safeguarding Board for Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire

Safeguarding adults services in Central Bedfordshire are coordinated by the Local Safeguarding Board for Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire. The role of the Board is to promote the safety of adults by developing robust multi-agency systems for the prevention and investigation of the abuse of adults.

The Board

The Board will:

Review and monitor the operation of the Safeguarding Adults’ policy and procedures for responding to concerns of abuse or neglect
Develop and agree an information sharing agreement.
Share information about providers or individuals via concern notifications, complaints, death list collation etc that are retained and collated for future reference.
Review and monitor systems and processes that are in place and ensure collection and documentation are of agreed standards.
Monitor outcomes of strategy meetings/case conferences to ensure course of action completed/investigation included.
Establish training strategies for staff, volunteers, service users and carers and monitor their implementation and relevance.
Oversee the collection of data on the incidence of adult abuse and the outcomes of investigation.
• Initiate action and/or plans as a result of data collection analysis presented to the Board.
• Develop a strategic/forward plan.
Audit and develop services for people who are at risk of/have experienced abuse or neglect.
Audit and develop responses to and services for perpetrators of abuse/neglect.
Develop strategies for reducing risk of abuse and neglect across a range of settings, including care settings and the community.
Review the strategic plan and produce an annual report.

Membership of the Board

The following organisations and agencies are members of the Local Safeguarding Board for Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire:

Bedford Borough Council

Central Bedfordshire Council

Police â€“ Public Protection Unit

Bedfordshire Probation Service

Bedfordshire Community Health Services

NHS Bedfordshire

NHS GP Representative

Bedford Hospital Acute Trust

L&D Hospital Acute Trust

Bedfordshire Advocacy Network