Looking out for 780 at-risk adults

Distress caused by neglect, physical abuse and emotional bullying

Nearly 800 “at-risk” adults from Wishaw and Motherwell were referred to North Lanarkshire Social Work last year.

The 780 referrals, mainly by police, contributed to a total of 2334 cases.

Yesterday, North Lanarkshire’s Adult Protection Committee backed Adult Protection Awareness Day, now in its 10th year, by joining partners and other agencies to raise awareness and help keep the most vulnerable adults safe from harm.

Every year in North Lanarkshire, a number of adults are identified as being at risk of harm and not able to keep themselves safe.

This may be because of poor physical health, mental health difficulties, or illnesses such as dementia which mean they are unable to recognise harm.

A person can be subjected to harm anywhere: in their home, where they work, in a public place – often by the people closest to them.

It can even happen in the very places tasked with the responsibility of protecting them such as a care home or day centre.

Adults may be subject to a range of harm, including physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or financial and material abuse.

Whatever its form, harm against adults is real. It happens all too often and it is unacceptable.

Those causing harm may be strangers, or people who target those they believe to be more vulnerable.

It can also be people in positions of trust – which could include family members, or those providing care and support.

Concerns over risk of psychological harm accounted for the majority of adult protection referrals in North Lanarkshire in 2016/17 with 1189 – and increase of 19 referrals. It was followed by risk of physical assault (377) and risk of neglect (316).

Referrals for adults experiencing financial harm also rose from 179 in 2015/16 to 193 in 2016/17.

People experiencing mental health problems were subject of the most referrals (719), followed by people who have a disability (602).

North Lanarkshire Council carries out more investigations into adult protection referrals than any other council, with a total of 538 in 2016/17, including 81 in Wishaw and 74 in Motherwell.

Individuals themselves were the main source of harm (202), followed by a relative (167).

Interestingly, there was a 24 per cent spike in the number of informal and paid carers who are causing harm.

Eileen Niblo is chairperson of the adult protection committee, which comprises partners Poice Scotland, Fire and Rescue, Social Work, Education, Housing, Trading Standards and third sector representatives.

As well as delivering adult training to partners, the committee has conducted training in North Lanarkshire mosques, among asylum seekers who have resettled in the area, with A& E consultants at University Hospitals Wishaw and Monklands, mental health workers, housing officers, and within various community organisations.

“An adult at risk can be anybody in the community,” explained Eileen.

“People do not always see themselves as being at risk of harm, which means they do not see any benefit in engaging.

“The public are more ready to report concerns when it is an elderly person at risk of harm – maybe somebody who has dementia or is frail.

The high proportion or referrals in North Lanarkshire concerns males in the 40 to 65 age group.

Female referrals tend to be slightly older. We do not have a high proportion of referrals among the 16 to 19 age group, perhaps because some young people are still living at home with protective measures around them.

Eileen added: “But if young people do not have a good social network, they can be more susceptible.

“We want you to let us know if you have any concerns about a vulnerable adult.

“All it takes is a single e- mail or an anonymous phone call to your council to allow sensitive investigations to be made and protective measures taken.

“If you have concerns that an adult is at risk of harm then it is right to have it checked out – ‘See something, Say something’.”

For more information on this service please visit the website www. northlanarkshire. gov. uk/ protectingadults.

Neglect – Old Jim’s story

“I was really worried about my neighbour. Old Jim on the corner. I used to see him out, shuffling alongwithhis stick. But not for ages. “His wife died, then he went downhill really quickly. I’m not sure how he got his shopping, or how he managed if he needed a doctor. I never saw any visitors. “There must be some family, surely. It was so sad. He’d just sit there, staring out of the window for hours on end. I often wondered how I could help. “Then Isawthis advert in the local paper. It was about how people suffer neglect. I thought that sounds like Jim, so I gave the number a call and I’m glad I did. “They put me in touchwith a really nice person who said he could help. They paid Jim a visit and next thing I know is he’s got a home-help and the district nurse visits. Someone’s even been along to tidy his garden. “It’s good to know there’s help out there.”

– Psychological harm Omar’s story

Since I was a been hard on me. “All my life my dad’s lot At kid he’s shouted a At reading. At writing. “Told me I was useless. learning stuff. my fault I have trouble everything. It’s not He’s always telling the things he’d say. You start to believe down. ThatI’ve let the family me I’m a disappointment. There’s no up trying. It’s hopeless. In the end you give the same. Enough, 25 now. But he’s still pleasing him. I’m the number. The can’t go on.SoIcalled I thought. This listened. me people listened. And They helped chest. Years worth. “Got loads off my I’m getting me some confidence. work things out. Gave happier.” stronger. And a lot