COVID-19 social isolation and safeguarding adults

6 April 2020

Advice for professionals

We know that social isolation increases the potential for abuse and neglect for adults at risk. It is likely that domestic abuse, self-neglect, financial abuse and carer stress will increase with social isolation. With more people being asked to self-isolate as a result of Covid-19, this needs to be a key consideration when in contact with adults at risk and when undertaking Section 42 enquiries. Social isolation can mean that:

• Abuse/neglect is hidden from professionals or others.
• People do not get the support they need.
• People feel like they do not want to ask for help for fear of being an added burden.
• Household stress and tension increases.
• People ask for or are offered help from people who might want to take advantage of their vulnerable position.

Some advice to consider:

Use existing tools and guidance to assess risk:

• Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Adults at Risk Referral Pathways
• Carers advice and support
• Domestic Abuse Toolkit
• Self-Neglect Advice and Toolkit
• Nottinghamshire Hoarding Framework
• Social distancing and self-isolation should not be at the expense of protection from abuse and neglect. 
• Ensure you factor in Covid-19 pressures to any risk assessments.
• As always, consider mental capacity, control and coercion on a person’s ability to make decisions and keep themselves safe.
• Self-isolation and social distancing could be detrimental for the wellbeing of people living with dementia. Have a look at these helpful tips from The Alzheimer's Society.

Plans to manage risk might include:

• Making a safeguarding referral where needed, consulting Nottinghamshire’s Adult at Risk Referral Pathways as a resource, in conjunction with the Multi Agency Guidance and Procedures.
• Ensure you keep yourself informed of how to spot, prevent and report scams that target vulnerable people that may be self-isolating.
• Undertaking the MARAC checklist and subsequent referral to MARAC. MARAC will continue to operate at this time, but this is likely to be via teleconference.
• Referral to domestic abuse or carer support agencies;

Domestic abuse advice for women (24 hours) 0808 800 0340

Domestic abuse advice for men (office hours) 0115 960 5556

Nottinghamshire Carer’s Hub 0115 8248824

• Flagging the address/person(s) on records following your organisations guidance and asking other agencies to do the same.
• Undertaking an assessment/re-assessment of need for the person and/or carer.
• Contingency arrangements for the person’s care should the person’s informal support need to self-isolate or be unable to provide care.
• Identifying family/friend/neighbour support and ways in which this could be done via phone/internet if possible.