On Adult Support and Protection Day 2023, Shetland Public Protection Committee is asking the public to look out for signs of neglect among vulnerable adults in our community.
Across Scotland, the number of people referred to Adult Support and Protection has risen by more than 200 a week in the last year, up from around 700 in 2021, to 940 in 2022. There has been a general upward trend in Adult Support and Protection referrals since March 2021, with most harm to adults taking place in individuals’ own homes.
Locally, 275 Adult Support and Protection referrals were received between April 2021 to March 2022.
Tam Baillie, Chair of Shetland Protection Committee said: “It’s sometimes hard to see when someone is struggling to manage, or you might feel you don’t want to interfere. Yet we know that in our close-knit communities, people keep an eye out for each other and sharing your concern is the right thing to do and can be the trigger for support to be offered. Harm can happen anywhere: in someone’s home, where they work, in a public place – often caused by the people closest to them.”
“Right now, many people are finding it even more difficult, and the cost of living crisis is making already challenging situations worse, especially for those people who may be living on their own or in need of additional support. In Shetland, we are geared up and committed to responding to adults needing additional support and providing it when it is needed.”
Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, said: “We know that the cost of living crisis is making day to day decisions harder for many, and for those looking after others, or struggling to take care of themselves it could be making things even harder. The important thing is that people know what to look for and where to go to get help for anyone they are worried about may be suffering from neglect or self-neglect.
“Everyone has a role to play in keeping people safe from harm, and Adult Support and Protection Day helps highlight the role people in the community have in raising concerns. I would like to thank the ASP National Communications Group for all the effort that has gone into raising the focus on this and helping ensure people are getting the help that they need.”
If you’re worried that someone isn’t taking care of themselves, or those they look after, or is doing things that might put their safety at risk, contact Duty Social Work on 01595 744468, out of office hours 01595 695611 or in an emergency situation contact Police Scotland on 999.
For more information visit www.safershetland.com or the Act Against Harm website