This information is for service users and members of the public.
You can also call us on 0121 704 8007.
For emergencies contact the Police by calling 999.
Ensuring physical, emotional and financial wellbeing
Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, whether they live on their own, with others, in a care/nursing care home, attend a day centre or are in hospital. Adults with care and support needs are sometimes abused by people who should be looking after them.
Who is at risk?
Anyone aged 18 years or over who needs community care services, or who finds it difficult to take care of themselves or protect themselves against harm or exploitation. They might be elderly, physically or mentally ill, disabled, have learning difficulties or face other challenges.
What is abuse?
Abuse of an adult with care and support needs is where someone in a position of trust hurts, harms or causes someone distress. It can include:
- theft
- bullying
- verbal abuse
- racist abuse
- threats
- pressure about money or wills
- unwanted sexual advances
- physical abuse
- neglect
Abuse can be stopped and even prevented, but this can only happen if someone knows about it.
The Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board provide Information leaflets that can help you understand what abuse is and what the safeguarding process may look like for you. There are a range of leaflets, including information about advocacy support, information about mental capacity and a leaflet for relatives and friends.
How can we stop abuse?
Tell someone you trust, as soon as you can. You can talk to us, or speak in confidence to a doctor or nurse, social worker, the police, the person in charge of the home or service that provides care or support, a voluntary organisation, or the Care Quality Commission (CQC, the organisation that regulates care services).
- contact us online or call 0121 704 8007
- contact us: 0121 704 8007 (outside office hours in an emergency: 0121 605 6060) or
- Police: 101 (or 999 in an emergency)
- Elder Abuse Helpline: 0808 808 8141
- CQC: 0845 015 0120
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
Sometimes adults who are unable to make decisions about their care and treatment have to be cared for in a particularly restrictive way to keep them safe. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 has set out Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to protect people in this situation.
DoLs telephone:0121 709 7113
DoLs email: solihull.dols@solihull.gov.uk
Download an easy read leaflet about DoLS
Download the full code of practice
Other sources of help
Information and advice from Age UK about safeguarding older people.