This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
Policing has a crucial role to play in the identification, support and safeguarding of adults who are at risk of harm. Perpetrators will target those with specific vulnerabilities, for example, mental ill health, substance misuse, isolation, to commit or assist in the commission of their crimes, as they know they will be easier to groom, manipulate and threaten, and as victims they are less likely to report their experience for many reasons. Officers and staff encountering adults at risk should identify and respond to issues affecting their safety and welfare including abuse within care settings and domestic abuse. For possible indicators of abuse of adults go toAnnex A.
The Care Act 2014 provides a statutory framework for working in partnership in cases where adults at risk have care and support needs. Forces will be expected to triage information and consider appropriate referrals relating to adults at risk through their multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) or equivalent. For further information, go to MASH guiding principles.
- Briefing note for adults at risk: initial response and safeguarding
- Briefing note for adults at risk: advice for investigators
- Adults at risk – annexes
- Deciding whether to make a safeguarding concern referral flowchart
- Vulnerability-related risk guidelines
- National Vulnerability and Public Protection Strategy
- Making Safeguarding Personal: What might ‘good’ look like for the Police (Local Government Association) – advice for strategic leadership
Officers engaging with adults who have experienced abuse, exploitation or significant adversity should adopt a trauma-informed approach. A trauma-informed approach can help foster rapport and trust-building with victims, support their recovery, and ensure accurate and effective investigations. Examples of trauma-informed approaches can be found on the Practice bank.
For further guidance, go to:
- Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) policy guidance on the prosecution of crimes against older people
- Older People: Prosecuting Crimes against – legal guidance
- The Office of Public Guardian (POG) – Protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finances and will usefully support investigations in this area