What is Adult Safeguarding?

This chapter was added in January 2024.

1. Introduction

It is important to be clear about who the formal safeguarding process applies to and in this section we will define adult safeguarding on the Isle of Man.

"Protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult's wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances."

This definition hints at the challenges of safeguarding, but it is important to be clear about which adults we are discussing. Manx Care must act on behalf of the Isle of Man Government when it has 'reasonable cause' to suspect that an adult in its area (whether or not ordinarily resident there) is being abused or neglected:

  • Has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs);
  • Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
  • As a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

So safeguarding is for people who, because of issues such as dementia, learning disability, mental ill-health or substance abuse, have care and support needs that may make them more vulnerable to abuse or neglect.

2. Who is at a Higher Risk?

People with care and support needs, such as older people or people with disabilities, are more likely to be abused or neglected. They may be seen as an easy target and may be less likely to identify abuse themselves or to report it.

People with communication difficulties can be particularly at risk because they may not be able to alert others.

Sometimes people may not even be aware that they are being abused, and this is especially likely if they have a cognitive impairment. Abusers may try to prevent access to the person they abuse.

The Isle of Man Safeguarding Act 2018 is the current legislation that identifies the safeguarding duties in the Isle of Man (which is different to the UK and therefore a recognition of different legislation should be noted, compared to the Care Act 2014 UK).

Section 17(4) & (5) of the Isle of Man Safeguarding Act 2018 states: "[…]

4: Each relevant person must make arrangements for ensuring that:

  1. The relevant person's functions are exercised having due regard to:
    1. The need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and
    2. The need to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults.
  2. Any services provided by another person pursuant to arrangements made by the relevant person in the exercise of the relevant person's functions are provided having due regard to that need.

5: Each relevant person must, in exercising the relevant person's duty under this section, have due regard to any guidance given to that person for the purpose by the Board."

Therefore the Isle of Man Safeguarding Board endorses this policy and the relevant guidance for safeguarding adults within the jurisdiction of the Isle of Man, this policy also refers to the Manx Care Act 2021.