Keeping yourself and the person you care for safe

We all have an important role in keeping adults with care and support needs safe from any potential abuse and neglect.

People may be at risk of physical abuse, sexual abuse, have money taken from them or money used in ways they don't agree with.

They might:

• not be treated with care
• be bullied
• be humiliated
• be neglected
• be denied contact with others

If you are worried or concerned about someone, please don't keep it to yourself - report your concerns.

Report your concerns to South Tyneside Council Let's Talk Team on 0191 424 6000.

As a carer, you can sometimes be at risk of harm by the person you are caring for.

This can be intentional or unintentional, but can fall into the category of abuse.

The risk of abuse is more likely if you are isolated and not getting any practical and/or emotional support from your family, friends, professionals or paid care givers.

Abuse can happen when the person supported:

• has health and care needs that go beyond your ability to meet them
• does not think about your needs or the needs of other family members
• treats you with a lack of respect or courtesy
• does not accept help and support from outside, including breaks
• refuses to be left alone during the day or night
• has control over finances, property and living arrangements
• takes part in abusive, aggressive or frightening behaviours
• has a history of substance misuse, unusual or offensive behaviours
• does not understand their actions and their impact on you
• is angry about their situation and wants to punish others for it
• has asked for help or support, but did not meet the criteria

If you have worries about yourself or you need to talk to someone about more support, please contact the Let's Talk Team on 0191 424 6000.

Caring for someone can be very demanding.

You will be trying your best to care for someone, but you might not have all the information you need to help you.

For example, you might not know what is / is not the right way to do things (e.g. safely supporting someone to move around), even if you feel what you are doing works to keep the person safe (e.g. using a restraint or not letting them travel on their own).

It can involve them not wanting to change, or listen about what needs changing.

Needing to make changes can be seen as a criticism, or a lack of understanding about your situation.

The risk of abuse can be greater if you:

• have unmet or unrecognised needs of your own
• have little insight or understanding of the person's condition or needs
• have unwillingly had to change your lifestyle
• are not getting practical and/or emotional support from other family members
• are feeling emotionally and socially isolated, not valued or stigmatised
• have other responsibilities such as family or work
• have no personal or private space, or life outside your caring role
• have often asked for help but problems have not been solved
• are being abused by the person you care for
• feel unappreciated or taken advantage of by the person you care for, relatives or services

The Let's Talk team can support you to identify and make informed choices about how you can manage the potential risk of significant harm to yourself or someone else.

If you would like to talk to one of our advisers, please contact:

• Let's Talk Team: 0191 424 6000
• Children's Social Care: 0191 424 5010
• Emergency Duty Team (out of office hours): 0191 456 2093

Check on your wellbeing

Think about the questions below:

• Do you have concerns about the way the person you care for is treated by another person they rely on for support?
• Do you ever feel unsafe because of the condition or behaviour of the person you support?
• Do you worry about losing your patience with the person you support?
• Do you ever feel unsafe in your caring role (e.g. getting nuisance phone calls, doorstep traders, loan sharks, anti-social neighbours etc)?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, please contact the Let's Talk Team on 0191 424 6000 for support.