Informal Carers

If the adult has a carer it is good practice to establish whether or not they would like the carer to be part of the safeguarding process.

For example:

1. Supporting the adult to express their views and wishes;
2. Challenging the opinion of professionals on behalf of the adult;
3. Supporting the adult at meetings and during enquiries;
4. Supporting an assessment of risk;
5. Supporting an assessment of needs;
6. Contributing to the Safeguarding Plan to prevent the abuse or reduce the possibility for further abuse.

When the adult has substantial difficulty or lacks capacity, a carer can also act as an appropriate person if they meet the criteria to do so. If this is the case, the duty to make an independent advocate available does not apply.

For further information, see: Independent Advocacy.

A carer may experience intentional or unintentional harm from the adult they are supporting.

A carer may also intentionally or unintentionally harm or neglect the adult.

Additionally, a carer may witness or hear something that indicates another adult may be at risk of harm.

If a carer makes a disclosure that they have been abused by the adult they support they should be afforded the same support as would be provided to an adult making a disclosure.

For further guidance see: Disclosure and Raising a Concern Procedure

To reduce risk to the carer, adult and the overall stability of the informal support network it is important to consider strategies that can support the carer in their role.

These may include:

1. Carer's assessment or review of a Support Plan;
2. Respite, day service and other ways to enable to carer to take a break;
3. Referral to a carer's support agency;
4. Referral to a specialist charity e.g. Alzheimer's Society or Parkinson's UK;
5. Training for the carer in managing the needs of the adult;
6. Equipment to make a task easier;
7. Behaviour management;
8. Advocacy for the carer.