Raise Concerns for Safety
Every adult has a right to live life free of fear, be treated with dignity and have their choices respected.
Find out what you can do if you are being abused or think somebody else is, this applies to people 18+ who live in Tameside.
Signs of Abuse
Who may be at risk of abuse?
Many people over the age of 18 rely on other people to help them in their day-to-day living. This may be due to illness, disability, or frailty. This means they may be at risk from people they know such as a relative, friend, neighbour, or paid carer, or, less frequently, by a stranger.
Abuse can happen anywhere including in someone’s own home, in a care home, day care centre or hospital.
What do we mean by abuse?
Abuse can take many forms including:
- Hitting, slapping, or pushing.
- Shouting or swearing which makes the person afraid.
- Unwanted touching, kissing or sexual intercourse.
- Money or property taken without consent or under pressure.
- Not being cared for properly or denied privacy, choice, or social contact.
Who can Abuse?
People may be harmed by people in a position of power over them. This includes family, friends, neighbours, informal/unpaid carers, paid carers and even strangers.
Signs of Neglect and Self-Neglect
What can neglect look like?
- Being unable to provide or give access to food, shelter, clothing, heating, activity, personal or medical care.
- Caring for someone in a way they do not like.
- Isolating someone and refusing visitors including family, friends or health and social care professionals.
- Not taking into account and respecting someone’s cultural, religious or ethnic needs.
What can self-neglect look like?
- Very poor personal hygiene.
- Lack of food, clothing or shelter.
- Malnutrition and/or dehydration.
- Living in bad conditions (squalid or unsanitary)
- Being unwilling to treat an injury or take medication.
Who to Contact
If you know of a worrying situation, please do not ignore it, find out below how to report any concerns you may have.
We will always respect the wishes and feelings of the adult at risk. You do not have to give your name and any information you give to us will be treated confidentially.
Please contact Tameside's Early Support and Advice Hub (ESAH) via 0161 342 5656 to raise a concern.
Under the Care Act 2014, Safeguarding concerns must be raised (as safeguarding duties apply) where there is reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in the Tameside area (whether or not an ordinary resident):
- Has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),
- Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
- As a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect
Please see TASPB link for more information on what constitutes a Safeguarding Adults Inter Agency Policy and Procedure Guidelines - Tameside MBC
If you are unsure whether to raise a concern, contact Tameside's Early Support and Advice Hub (ESAH) via 0161 342 5656.
Professional Referrals
Further guidance on professionals safeguarding referrals can be found here.
Raise a Concern video
Safeguarding ‘raise a concern’ video
Safeguarding and Dignity
Support for Carers
