All adults deserve to feel safe, make their own choices and be treated with dignity and respect. If you or someone you know is not being treated this way, they may be an adult at risk of harm.

Making sure that all adults are safe, particularly people who are ill, frail or have a disability, is everyone’s business.

If you are an adult and you’re being harmed or if you think an adult you know is being harmed. You can talk to us in confidence, and we can take action to protect the person you’re worried about.

The Law

The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 provides a legal basis in Scotland, to offer support and protection to adults who may be at risk of harm or neglect. The ethos of this legislation is about balancing people’s rights and taking action, where necessary, to support and protect them.

Adults at risk are defined as being those who are 16 years or older who:

1. are unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests,
2. are at risk of harm, and
3. because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected.

What does harm look like?

Throughout Scotland, adults are at risk from all kinds of harm. Harm can be physical, psychological, financial or sexual. Harm can also mean neglect. You can visit Act Against Harm to learn more about what harm can be or look like and for more information on how to report it.

The Local Council has a legal duty to protect and support adults at risk of harm and will respond to every concern.

Reporting concerns

Concerns can be reported anonymously but sometimes it helps if we can speak with you so that we can obtain further information or clarify certain points about the information disclosed. In all cases, the decision is yours and we will preserve your anonymity, if you so wish, throughout our involvement.

What Happens when I report a Concern?

Once a concern has been received the local council will make some initial inquiries to establish what has or is happening.  Although the council has the ultimate responsibility for making these inquiries they often work with other professionals involved in the adult’s care. This may include social workers, health professionals or perhaps even the police, and helps to ensure the best outcome for the adult.

By collating this information we are able to form a clearer picture of what is happening and this will allow for better care and support for the adult. All information received will be treated seriously and in confidence.