Protecting adults from abuse and neglect
A separate website www.bsab.org has been created for the Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board - a group of thirteen partner agencies set up to co-ordinate and promote the safeguarding of vulnerable adults in Birmingham.
This website provides information about the abuse of vulnerable adults. It gives clear instructions on what you should do if you suspect that a vulnerable adult is being abused. Birmingham City Council is also running a city wide campaign to encourage people within our communities to be our 'eyes and ears' and report adult abuse.
In Birmingham we aim to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults so that they live a life free from abuse and neglect. Safeguarding adults means helping vulnerable adults who need support from community care services to keep their independence, safety and choice in their life.
A vulnerable adult is any person who needs extra support, for example because they are elderly or may have a learning disability, physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health problem and who are unable to protect themselves against harm and abuse. It may be someone who is usually able to manage, but at some stage may not be able to because of an accident or illness.
Adult abuse can happen to anyone who is over 18. Adult abuse is when something is said or done to a vulnerable adult that makes them feel upset, hurt or frightened. Abuse is not always intentional but it causes harm so something should be done to stop it from happening again.
Example of types of abuse
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Psychological Abuse
- Financial Abuse
- Neglect and Acts of Omission
- Discriminatory Abuse
- Institutional Abuse
Where does abuse happen and who could cause abuse?
Abuse can happen anywhere and it can be carried out by any anyone.
What to do if you suspect abuse
If you are worried about possible adult abuse, please contact us as soon as possible. Or, if you are phoning out of office hours, contact our Emergency Duty Team.
In an emergency contact the police on 999.
If you think there has been a crime but it is not an emergency, contact West Midlands Police as soon as possible on 0345 113 5000.
For organisations or agencies that need to confirm any verbal safeguarding alerts in writing, please use the safeguarding adults Multi agency alert form. There is more information for organisations or agencies about safeguarding on the Policy and Procedures web page.
Other pages
Where does abuse happen and who causes abuse?
Definitions of abuse and vulnerable adults
Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board
Birmingham City Council Lead Role
Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Leaflets and documents
If you would like any of our leaflets, forms or other documents in another language, in Braille, in large print or as an audio version on CD, please phone the Communications team on 0121 464 3123. All our adult social care leaflets, forms and documents are free in any format.