New figures have shown that more than 1,000 safeguarding concerns about vulnerable adults were made in Cumbria last year.

NHS digital figures have indicated that 1,060 concerns were raised about the welfare of adults who receive care and support in the region, which was down from 1,145 the year before.

Safeguarding concerns are raised to Cumbria County Council if people have reservations about the treatment of a vulnerable adult.

If councils believe an adult with care and support needs is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, they must carry out a Section 42 enquiry to determine whether they need to take action.

Cumbria County Council completed 615 such enquiries in 2021-22 – down from 705 in 2020-21.

Raised in 27% of enquiries, neglect and acts of omission was the most frequently mentioned reason last year.

Nationwide, the most common type of risk in Section 42 enquiries which typically involve people aged 85 and over was also neglect and acts of omission, which accounted for 31% of risks.

Overall, the number of safeguarding concerns raised with local authorities in England was 541,535 an increase of 9% on the year before with Cumbria bucking the national trend.

A spokesperson for Cumbria County Council said:

“It is so important that people raise concerns if they are worried that an adult is experiencing abuse or neglect.

Where concerns are raised the county council has an effective system in place to, make enquiries, investigate in collaboration with our partners and take action to keep Cumbria’s people safe.

“While nationally the number of safeguarding concerns raised has been increasing year on year, in Cumbria the number of has varied over the last five years, with the 20/21 figure lower than the previous three years.

The vast majority of safeguarding concerns relate to things that may be happening in people’s own homes, with concerns being raised by friends, neighbours, family members or professionals that may be working with them.

You can find out more about how to raise a concern on the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board website.’’

 

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