If you think you, or someone you know, is being abused or neglected, you must inform someone. This includes adults who:
- have care and support needs (or appear to have those needs)
- are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
- are unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect due to their care and support needs
Do not ignore abuse or neglect.
Call the police
If the danger is immediate, call 999. If the person is not in immediate danger, call 101.
Contact the Single Point of Access (SPA) team
Open Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm and Friday: 9 am to 4.30 pm.
Telephone: 0300 373 3732
Out of hours: 01228 526 690
Information to provide
If possible, provide the following details to us or the police:
- why you are concerned
- the name, age, and address of the adult at risk
- if anyone lives with the adult
- if the adult is receiving help from any organisation
- who may be responsible for the abuse or neglect
Even if you are unsure about some details, you can still report the abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding adults
Safeguarding adults involves protecting them from abuse or neglect by ensuring they receive the right support as early as possible and creating a safe and healthy environment.
Types of Abuse and Neglect (Care Act 2014):
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- financial abuse
- psychological abuse
- self-neglect
- domestic abuse
- organisational abuse
- modern-day slavery
- discriminatory abuse
For more information and advice, visit the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board website.
What constitutes care and support
Care and support provides practical, financial and emotional support for adults who need extra help to manage their lives and be independent. This includes:
- older people
- people with a disability or long-term illness
- people with mental health problems
- carers