Safeguarding vulnerable adults in Bedfordshire

6 May 2008

Bedfordshire County Council is working with partner agencies and the public across the County to promote the safety and protection of vulnerable adults who live in Bedfordshire.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults| (opens in new webpage) scheme is based at the County Council and has a team dedicated to preventing the abuse of the most vulnerable and acting quickly when abuse is suspected. Those at risk may include people with a learning or physical disability, older people or people with mental health problems.

Cllr Bob King, Bedfordshire County Council Cabinet member for Community Services, said: "Abuse can take many forms - physical, sexual, financial, emotional or even neglect. It can also happen anywhere - in a residential or care home, in a hospital, in the workplace or even at an educational establishment.

"Therefore it is extremely important that we have a dedicated team that can help prevent abuse, but where it does occur, take action and offer support to those in need.

"We work closely with other agencies, including the Police, to ensure that people get the help they need when they need it most."

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults team is based at Houghton Lodge in Ampthill. It offers a drop-in, telephone and email service available to anyone who is being abused or who believes someone else is a victim of abuse. People can talk to a member of the team in confidence. There is also a twenty-four hour emergency help line. Advice will be given on what is likely to happen next and if it is felt someone is in immediate danger, that person will be visited immediately and steps taken to ensure their safety.

For more information on Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults call 01582 818085 or email adult.protection@bedscc.gov.uk|.  

Bedfordshire County Council also works in partnership to reduce domestic violence. For more information please contact the Domestic Abuse Team on 01234 276716 or by email to BDVP@bedscc.gov.uk|.

ENDS