Social services sees rise in adults at risk of abuse

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Research published today (20 October 2009) by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) has found a rise in the number of vulnerable adults referred to social services because they are at risk of physical and sexual abuse.

David Congdon, head of campaigns and policy at learning disability charity Mencap, said:

"It's no surprise that when vulnerable adults across the UK are losing vital support services due to funding shortages, they are more at risk from abuse.

"The research shows that the need for safeguarding legislation is now more acute than ever. Mencap is concerned that financial strains on local authorities may force councils to neglect vulnerable adults and push the issue of safeguarding to the bottom of the list.

"The government must take the safeguarding of vulnerable adults as seriously as children, otherwise we will continue to see horrific cases of abuse against people with a learning disability."

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Contact:  Lucy Hannagan, Mencap press office, 020 7696 6017, lucy.hannagan@mencap.org.uk

To download a copy of the survey findings, go to http://www.adass.org.uk/

Notes to editors

• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
• A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong.
• Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life. People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. Mencap fights to change laws and services and to provide better access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
• It is not a mental illness and should not be confused with mental health issues. It is not dyslexia or aspergers syndrome.
• It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
• For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111
• For online press information, go to www.mencap.org.uk/press
• There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.