Safeguarding Does Not Stop at 18
When people think about safeguarding, they often think about children and young people.
However, safeguarding is equally important for adults who may be experiencing circumstances that place them at increased risk of harm, abuse, exploitation or neglect.
Within a university community, safeguarding concerns can affect:
- Students.
- Staff.
- Apprentices.
- Placement learners.
- Visitors.
- Volunteers.
Understanding adult safeguarding helps us recognise concerns, provide support and create safer environments for everyone.
What Is Adult Safeguarding?
Adult safeguarding is about protecting an adult's:
- Safety.
- Wellbeing.
- Rights.
- Dignity.
- Independence.
It involves preventing and responding to abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm whilst supporting people to make informed decisions about their own lives.
Adult safeguarding is not about taking control away from people.
Instead, it seeks to balance:
- Protection.
- Choice.
- Empowerment.
- Independence.
What Is a Vulnerable Adult?
The term "vulnerable adult" has historically been used to describe adults who may be at greater risk of harm.
However, many safeguarding professionals now prefer terms such as:
- Adult at risk.
- Adult with care and support needs.
- Adult in a vulnerable situation.
This is because vulnerability is often linked to circumstances rather than the individual themselves.
People are not defined by vulnerability.
Many individuals who experience periods of vulnerability continue to lead independent, capable and successful lives.
What Is an Adult at Risk?
Under safeguarding legislation, an adult may be considered an adult at risk where they:
- Have care and support needs; and
- Are experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
- May be unable to protect themselves because of those needs.
Not everyone who experiences difficulties will meet this definition.
However, safeguarding concerns can still arise where an adult appears particularly vulnerable to harm or exploitation.
Vulnerability Can Change Over Time
Vulnerability is not always permanent.
Someone may become more vulnerable because of:
- Ill health.
- Mental health difficulties.
- Disability.
- Bereavement.
- Trauma.
- Financial hardship.
- Isolation.
- Domestic abuse.
- Substance misuse.
- Significant life changes.
As circumstances improve, a person's level of vulnerability may also change.
Adults in Vulnerable Situations
Some people may not meet the formal definition of an adult at risk but may nevertheless find themselves in circumstances that increase their vulnerability.
Examples may include:
- Students experiencing a mental health crisis.
- Individuals experiencing domestic abuse.
- Students new to the UK with limited support networks.
- People experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Individuals experiencing exploitation.
- Students experiencing significant financial hardship.
- Individuals who are socially isolated.
- Students who are estranged from their families.
These situations can increase the risk of harm, abuse or exploitation.
What Types of Abuse Might Affect Adults?
Adult safeguarding concerns can arise in many different forms.
Physical Abuse
Including:
- Assault.
- Unlawful restraint.
- Physical harm.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Including:
- Intimidation.
- Threats.
- Humiliation.
- Coercive behaviour.
- Controlling behaviour.
Sexual Abuse
Including:
- Sexual assault.
- Sexual exploitation.
- Unwanted sexual contact.
- Sexual harassment.
Domestic Abuse
Including:
- Physical abuse.
- Emotional abuse.
- Financial control.
- Coercive control.
- Digital monitoring and control.
Financial Abuse
Including:
- Theft.
- Fraud.
- Financial exploitation.
- Pressure relating to money or assets.
Neglect
Including:
- Failure to meet basic needs.
- Self-neglect.
- Lack of access to appropriate care or support.
Discriminatory Abuse
Including abuse based upon:
- Disability.
- Race.
- Religion or belief.
- Sexual orientation.
- Gender identity.
- Other protected characteristics.
Exploitation
Including:
- Criminal exploitation.
- Sexual exploitation.
- Modern slavery.
- Human trafficking.
Safeguarding in a University Setting
Universities may identify adult safeguarding concerns through:
- Wellbeing referrals.
- Safeguarding disclosures.
- Support to Study processes.
- Accommodation concerns.
- Placement concerns.
- Reports from friends or family.
- Reports from staff members.
Concerns may emerge gradually or arise suddenly following a specific incident.
What Might Raise Concern?
Examples may include:
- Significant changes in behaviour.
- Expressions of fear.
- Evidence of coercion or control.
- Signs of exploitation.
- Self-harm concerns.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Concerns raised by others.
- Repeated welfare concerns.
- Isolation from support networks.
- Concerns regarding decision-making capacity.
No single sign automatically indicates a safeguarding issue, but patterns of concern should be taken seriously.
Mental Health and Safeguarding
Most people experiencing mental health difficulties are not vulnerable adults and do not require safeguarding intervention.
However, safeguarding considerations may arise where:
- There are significant risks of harm.
- A person appears unable to keep themselves safe.
- Exploitation is occurring.
- Additional vulnerabilities are present.
Mental health and safeguarding sometimes overlap, but they are not the same thing.
Empowerment and Choice
Adult safeguarding is built upon the principle that adults should be supported to make their own choices wherever possible.
This means:
✓ Listening to the person's wishes and feelings.
✓ Respecting autonomy.
✓ Promoting independence.
✓ Supporting informed decision-making.
Where possible, adults should be involved in decisions about support and safeguarding interventions.
When Might Information Be Shared?
Safeguarding concerns sometimes require information to be shared with appropriate professionals or agencies.
This may occur where:
- Someone is at risk of serious harm.
- Abuse or exploitation is suspected.
- Others may be at risk.
- Safeguarding duties require action.
Information sharing should always be:
- Necessary.
- Relevant.
- Proportionate.
- Lawful.
The aim is to protect people while respecting privacy wherever possible.
What Should I Do If I Am Concerned?
If you are worried about an adult's safety or wellbeing:
✓ Take the concern seriously.
✓ Listen without judgement.
✓ Seek advice.
✓ Raise a safeguarding concern where appropriate.
✓ Do not assume someone else will act.
You do not need proof that harm has occurred before seeking guidance.
Safeguarding Is Everyone's Responsibility
Safeguarding works best when people feel able to notice concerns, ask questions and seek help.
You do not need to be a safeguarding expert to make a difference.
Recognising concerns early and seeking appropriate advice can help prevent situations from escalating and ensure that people receive the support they need.
Key Message
Vulnerability is not a label and it does not define a person.
Anyone can experience circumstances that increase their vulnerability to harm, abuse or exploitation.
Adult safeguarding is about recognising those circumstances, promoting safety and wellbeing, respecting individual choice and helping people access the support they need to remain safe, independent and empowered.