Adults at Risk

Adults at Risk

Any adult may experience abuse or harm. However, certain people are considered to be at greater risk so are given more protection by law.

An adult at risk is anyone aged 18 or over who:

• has needs for care and or support
• as a result of care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from abuse
• is currently experiencing or is at risk of abuse.

Adults at risk may:

• have a mental or physical illness
• have a learning disability
• have addiction problems
• be frail.

Whether an adult is at risk or not is something which changes with their circumstances – it’s not fixed.

The Care Act 2014 is the most significant piece of legislation that sets out the framework for adult safeguarding and places a duty on local authorities to engage with others if an adult in their area has:

*Needs for care and support
*Is experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect
*As a result of care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect

Other relevant legislation that trustees should ensure their Religious and volunteers working with vulnerable adults should be familiar with are the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.