Lexicon of Abuse: What is a Vulnerable Adult?

What is a vulnerable adult? Or should that say ‘WHO is a vulnerable adult?’

Definitions of vulnerable adults are wide and varied, depending on context, but the NHS (UK) defines vulnerable adults as any adult (over 18) who is unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from exploitation - “anyone over the age of 18 years who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, harm or exploitation, which may be by reason of illness, age, mental illness, disability or other types of physical or mental impairment”.

Being vulnerable is further defined by UK government as being “in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, risk of abuse or neglect”.

A well known safeguarding organisation defines a vulnerable adult as a person over the age of 18 years at risk of abuse or neglect because of their needs for care and or support.

There is no commonly used definition of vulnerable adults, and those that do engage with the fact that some adults are vulnerable often have personal views of what vulnerability is. Whilst we can be vulnerable to risks due to individual characteristics (like disability), the impact of actions - or inaction - of others, or their physical/social environments can also create vulnerabilities.

The definitions above are very open definitions. Most definitions aren’t comprehensive. Unsurprisingly, therefore, if we are trying to engage authorities to help with a situation affecting someone we consider vulnerable, it can be tough to explain . It’s too often a frustrating uphill struggle.

Proving Someone is Vulnerable

Sometimes we need to prove that someone is a vulnerable adult to persuade people in authority (the police or social services for example) to take action to protect an adult we believe to be at risk.

At risk of stating the obvious, things that help us prove vulnerability might include:

• For someone under 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), an EHCP (an Education, Health and Care Plan) will make it hard for any official to whom you report to ignore the vulnerability;

• If someone is ‘registered disabled’ this too makes it hard for authorities to ignore vulnerability. Whilst there's not a national register of disabled people in the UK, many local authorities keep voluntary registers to help them plan services. Anything you have that proves registration may halp you persuade authorities like the police to take a report seriously;

• A Blue Badge, Access Card, or a DWP letter;

• Documentation from health or medical health professionals, including hospitalisation;

• Copies of prescriptions for essential medications such as epilepsy drugs, heart medications, etc;

• Proof of missed appointments with health, including mental health, professionals;

• Recent divorce filings, court cases or anything that could have caused unusual stress levels, even large debts in some cases;

• In the case of old age as a vulnerability, photos or birth cerificates;

• Correspondence.

Unfortunately it’s very hard to demonstrate vulnerability based on personality/naivety when seeking help.

Abuse of Vulnerable Adults

If abuse of a vulnerable adult is suspected their welfare becomes a priority for agencies like social services, the police or medical services. That abuse can be financial, manipulative, physical or emotional.

Parents can report, and due regard will be given to the vulnerable person-s capacity to consent.

When police or medical organisations are involved they will consider:

• What the abuse is, and its severity;

• How often this is happening

• Their level of vulnerability

• Who is involved in the abuse

• Whether anyone else is also at risk

Some of the agencies that might get involved should abuse of a vulnerable adult be reported include:

• The Social Services Mental Health team

• The Police

• Medical professionals

Vulnerable Adults and Grooming

Non-vulnerable people are groomed on a daily basis, and don’t see they’ve been groomed until it’s too late.

For people whose vulnerability makes relationships harder than they can already be, there is obviously an extra layer of complexity.

Grooming red flags can include:

🚩Someone rushing into a relationship - too much, too soon;

🚩Large age differences;

🚩Someone in a position of authority having a relationship that could compromise either party eg managers targetting their staff, medical health professionals having relationships with people they are treating, teachers or lecturers and students etc;

🚩Controlling behaviours;

🚩Missing school, college or work on a regular or extended basis;

🚩Someone (the target) acting very out of character.

Note that none of these red flags (warnings) automatically guarantee that abuse is happening - falling in love with someone of a different age, or obsessing over a new partner can just be part of life’s wonderful, messy variety.

Opinion piece: Vulnerable Adults and Grooming