Vulnerable Adults
Vulnerable Adults
Everyone, as a citizen, has a responsibility for the safety, well-being and protection of others.
Everyone within the church community also has a responsibility to ensure that there is a welcome for all people, including those seen as vulnerable.
The term vulnerable adult refers to:
Any person aged 18 and over "who is, or may be, in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and who is, or may be, unable to take care of him or herself or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or serious exploitation”.
[`Promoting a Safe Church policy 2006 and No Secrets' 2000
Vulnerability
Vulnerability may change with time and according to circumstance. All human beings are subject to change and chance happenings which may affect their capacity to manage themselves and their situation. All human beings have different strengths and weaknesses: all have different capacities and disabilities. While some people may appear to be strong we know that no-one is invulnerable and at different times in our lives and in different circumstances strengths can change and grow, diminish or disappear. Some people because of their physical or social circumstances have higher levels of vulnerability than others, and it is our duty as Christians to recognise this and support those who are vulnerable in a way that affords them as much independence and autonomy as possible. We must do this in a way that allows compassion and empathy without undermining dignity.
Diocesan Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Guidelines…click here
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Jean Skinner Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser 0912363474
email: revjeanskinner@yahoo.com
Statutory Agencies {Safeguarding Adults Services)
Newcastle: 0191 2328520;
Northumberland: 01670 394420
North Tyneside 0191 6437646
In cases where the vulnerable adult is clearly in immediate danger you should contact the police by ringing 999.
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