7. Safeguarding

Safeguarding refers to protecting clients in vulnerable circumstances who may be at risk of abuse or neglect by another person. Services should work together to identify people at risk and to help protect them. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 is the legislation to protect adults who are at risk of harm or neglect.

Advisers have a responsibility to safeguard vulnerable adults and to follow the correct procedures when abuse is identified. Advisers must be aware of their internal safeguarding policy and notify the appropriate agencies if abuse is identified or suspected.

Clients in an abusive situation must be taken seriously, granted confidentiality and treated with respect. It may also be appropriate to discuss how to communicate with them. They may not want letters coming to their home if their abuser lives with them.