The Live Wire



Press Release

ISA responds to the NHS Information Centre's data on the abuse of vulnerable adults

4 November 2011

The NHS Information Centre has released statistics which reveal that 96,000 of the most vulnerable members of our society suffered alleged abuse in the last year.

Adrian McAllister, Chief Executive of the Independent Safeguarding Authority said: "These figures shed light on the abuse being perpetrated on some of our most vulnerable members of society. Behind these statistics are stories of real pain, lives that have been damaged and trust that has been broken by those who job was to improve the lives of vulnerable adults, not abuse them."

Employers such as the NHS and those in the care sector have a legal duty to make a referral to the ISA when an employee (such as a nurse or doctor) has harmed or put at risk of harm an adult or child and they are removed from their role as a consequence.

The ISA is uniquely placed to help prevent harm by stopping those who present a risk simply moving from one post or sector to another. For example, a care worker who has been placed on either or both of the ISA's barred lists will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer (or seek to) with the group or groups from which they have been barred. An organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred from such a role is also breaking the law.

Mr McAllister continued: "I welcome the move by the Government to enhance aspects of adult safeguarding and also believe the figures underline the need to refer incidents of abuse to the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

"It is clear from these figures that we are not receiving the number of referrals from the NHS and care sector that we should be and I would encourage anyone working in these sectors to ensure that they are making appropriate and timely referrals to the ISA, as required by the law."

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and a referral to the ISA – if it results in a bar – stops someone who has caused harm from moving to another workplace to potentially abuse again.



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Independent Safeguarding Authority

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