Abuse, neglect and our duty of care
Abuse and Neglect
Abuse is the harm that is caused by anyone who has power over another person; which may include family members, friends, unpaid carers, health or social care workers and organisations.
Neglect includes ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating. It includes acts of omission.
The Care Act 2014 identifies ten categories of abuse and neglect that should be included within Safeguarding Adult policy and procedures.
Incidents of abuse may be one-off or multiple, and affect one person or more. Professionals and others should look beyond single incidents or individuals to identify patterns of harm, just as the CCG, as the regulator of service quality, does when it looks at the quality of care in health and care services. Repeated instances of poor care may be an indication of more serious problems and of what we now describe as organisational abuse. In order to see these patterns it is important that information is recorded and appropriately shared.
Patterns of abuse vary and include:
- serial abuse. The perpetrator seeks out and 'grooms' individuals. Sexual abuse sometimes falls into this pattern as do some forms of financial abuse;
- long-term abuse. In the context of an ongoing family relationship such as domestic violence between spouses or generations or persistent psychological abuse;
- opportunistic abuse. Theft occurring because money or jewellery has been left lying around.
For definitions, signs and indicators of the 10 types of abuse and neglect see the Categories of abuse page.
Duty of Care
Duty of Care is defined simply as a legal obligation to:
- Always act in the best interest of individuals and others;
- Not act or fail to act in a way that results in harm; and
- Act within your competence and not take on anything you do not believe you can safely do.
Contact us
Gateshead Local Safeguarding Adults Board
First Floor
Civic Centre
NE8 1HH
Please note that this is for further information about the Safeguarding Adults Board only. If you are concerned that someone is at risk of, or experiencing, abuse or neglect please contact Adult Social Care
Contact us
Gateshead Local Safeguarding Adults Board
First Floor
Civic Centre
NE8 1HH
Please note that this is for further information about the Safeguarding Adults Board only. If you are concerned that someone is at risk of, or experiencing, abuse or neglect please contact Adult Social Care
