Safeguarding adults
Safeguarding adults means protecting a person’s right to live a life free from harm, abuse and neglect.
Abuse is a violation of a person's human and civil rights by any other person.
We describe an adult as being at risk of abuse if they are 18 years old or more and:
- need care and support, whether or not their local authority is meeting any of those needs and
- is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
- can't protect themselves from either the risk or experience of abuse or neglect because of their care needs.
The Care Act describes how important it is to make safeguarding personal. This means that the adult at risk should be at the centre of all enquiries and decisions that are made throughout the safeguarding process.
Raising an adult safeguarding concern
You should raise a concern with the relevant local authority if you are:
- worried about an adult whom you think may be at risk of abuse or neglect
- an adult experiencing abuse or neglect.
In an emergency, or if you need immediate police support, call 999.
Our safeguarding adults team
Our Chief Nurse is the executive lead for adult safeguarding.
Our adult safeguarding team includes our:
- Head of Safeguarding
- Named Doctor
- Named Professional
- Learning Disabilities and Autism Lead Nurses
- Older People and Dementia Matron
You can contact the team Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm:
- By phone: 0208 869 3692
- By email: LNWH-tr.adultsafeguarding@nhs.net
Contacting local authorities
If you're experiencing abuse or neglect, or are concerned about another adult whom you think may be at risk, get in touch with the relevant local authority team.
Brent safeguarding team
- Phone: 0208 937 4300
- Out of hours: 0208 937 5250
- Email: safeguardingadults@brent.gov.uk
Harrow safeguarding team
- Phone: 020 8416 8412
- Out of hours: 020 8424 0999
- Email: safeguarding.adults@harrow.gov.uk
Ealing safeguarding team
- Phone: 020 8825 8000
- Out of hours: 020 8825 8000
- Email: safeguardingadults@ealing.gov.uk
Domestic violence and abuse
Domestic violence involves people who are 16 years old or older, who are or have been intimate partners or family members.
It includes:
- controlling or coercive behaviour, or
- threats or
- violence or abuse.
Domestic violence or abuse can include, but isn't limited to, the following types of abuse:
- psychological
- physical
- sexual
- financial
- emotional.
Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse - no matter their gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or background.
How to get help if you're experiencing or are at risk of domestic abuse
Policies, training and partnerships
Policies
We have robust policies and procedures in place to guide and support our teams when they become aware of a safeguarding concern.
Policy and procedure for safeguarding adults at risk[pdf] 796KB
Training
We've assigned each of our staff members a safeguarding training level from 1 to 4.
This level is based on their role, and means that they receive the right kind of training, according to the national document, Safeguarding adults: roles and competencies for healthcare staff.
We also encourage our staff members to download and use the NHS England safeguarding app.
Working in partnership
We work closely with our partner agencies and organisations on safeguarding. As part of this work, we contribute to our Local Safeguarding Adult Board multi-agency partnership arrangements.