Safeguarding Procedure Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Published: 17 September 2025

The Council has a legal duty to work collaboratively with all to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults at risk and treat them with dignity and respect: and how we do this is to work in conjunction with Surrey Multi-agency adult protection procedures, for further information please refer to Surrey County Council’s website.

Who is an adult at risk? 

The term adult at risk refers to anyone aged 18 and over who: 

  • is or may need Community Care Services by reason of mental or other disability, age, or illness; and
  • is or may be unable to take care of himself or herself, and/or:
  • is unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. 

Whether or not a person is vulnerable in these cases will depend upon surrounding circumstances, environment and each case must be judged on its own merits.