Protection of Vulnerable Adults

The adult protection policy and procedure provides a system whereby a range of organisations or individuals can report and respond to situations where it is suspected, or alleged, that a vulnerable adult has been abused.

Referrals concerning the protection and abuse of vulnerable adults are dealt with by the council’s social work teams. Referrals (also known as ‘alerts’) are made to the relevant team and initial action is taken by the duty team. Referrals can be made by telephone or by completing an ‘alert form’ and faxed to the duty desk. Once the referral is received initial enquiries will take place and a decision taken as to whether the adult protection procedure is the appropriate route for dealing with the concerns. Decisions will be based on the criteria outlined in Enfield’s local policy, which is based on government guidance and good practice. The caller will be advised of the decision and the reasons why a particular course of action is being taken.

Link to the policy on website
Link to alert form

Eligibility
The adult protection arrangements refer to a vulnerable adult who is 18 years or over, who is, or may be in need of community care services and they are unable to take care of themselves, or protect themselves from harm or being exploited. This may be because they have a mental health problem, a disability, a sensory impairment or are old and frail.

The vulnerable adult person will have been living in, or visiting the borough of Enfield when the alleged abuse took place.

Required Customer Information
The referrer does not need any documents or identification

Service Level Agreement and Turnaround
Once the relevant team has received a referral and a decision made to proceed via the adult protection procedures, a strategy to deal with the alleged abuse will be agreed. This is an agreed way forward, usually by way of a strategy meeting (a meeting of the professionals involved) or by telephone strategy. If a strategy meeting is held this will usually take place within 5 days of the referral and in the meantime appropriate steps will be taken to provide immediate safeguards for the vulnerable adult(s) concerned. If the strategy is agreed by telephone this may be agreed sooner, but usually within five days. The person who made the referral will be advised accordingly.

More information about this service

Contact Us

Frequently asked questions

Address:
Community, Housing and Adult Social Services
London Borough of Enfield
PO Box 59
Civic Centre
Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3XL

Map

Telephone:
020 8379 1000

Fax:
020 8379 6458

Textphone:
020 8379 6551

Typetalk:
18002 020 8379 1000

Address:
Adults with disabilities and older people
Community, Housing and Adult Social Services
219-221 High Street
Enfield
EN3 4DX

Telephone:
020 8379 8085 (for appointments)
Duty desk fax: 020 8379 8019

Address:
Adults with learning difficulties
Community, Housing and Adult Social Services
2nd Floor St Andrews court
1-4 River Front
Enfield
EN1 3SY

Telephone:
020 8379 5039 (for appointments)
Duty desk fax: 020 8379 5040

For people with mental health problems, please contact your local Community Mental Health team (CMHT)
Enfield Town / East Enfield Southgate North / Southgate South CMHT
Mental Health Unit,
Chase Farm Hospital Site
The Ridgeway
Enfield
EN2 8JL
020 8379 3977 Duty desk fax: 020 8364 6711 or Fax 020 8920 2011

Edmonton CMHT
305-309 Fore Street
Edmonton
N9 0PD
020 8887 0606 Duty desk fax: 020 8345 6947

CMHT
58-60 Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3EP
020 8379 4142/ 020 8379 3977 No fax:

Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm

If you need to contact Adult Social Services in an emergency situation outside of office hours, please contact the Out-of-Hours Duty Social Worker on 020 8379 1000.

Useful Links