The following are definitions used under the Care Act 2014;

New Terminology under the Care Act 2014 which was previously under 'No Secrets Guidance'

The safeguarding duties apply to an adult (person aged 18 or over) who:

1. Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and;

2. Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect and;

3. As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

The above is termed the three-stage test under the Care Act 2014.

Abuse

Although the population served is comparatively small, the definition of abuse is wide:

Abuse is a violation of an individual's human and civil rights by any other person or persons. It can be a singular or repeated act, or a lack of action.

Abuse or neglect can be unintentional; however, the primary focus must still be how to safeguard the adult at risk. What is important to consider is the harm done or the adverse effect on the adult and whether the abuse might be repeated.

The Care Act Guidance states that local authorities should not limit their view of what constitutes abuse or neglect, as it can take many forms and the circumstances of the individual case should always be considered.

Categories of abuse

• Discriminatory abuse
• Financial abuse
• Organisational abuse
• Neglect
• Physical abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Modern Slavery
• Domestic Abuse
• Self-Neglect

Other types of abuse include: Sexual Exploitation, Hate Crime, Mate Crime, Cuckooing, Radicalisation, Female Genital Mutilation, Cyber Abuse, Honour Based Violence, and Forced Marriage.