To coincide with World Elder Abuse awareness day on Wednesday June 15, the Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Partnership Boards launched their new Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure.

Police, ambulance, fire and health care services have been working together with local authorities to make improvements to the way in which they respond. The policy aims to prevent abuse from happening and ensure a consistent response to concerns throughout Berkshire. 

The new procedures will continue to protect all adults who may be at risk of harm, whether this be physical, psychological, discriminatory or financial. 

A new leaflet Safeguarding Adults from Abuse is also being published for residents with key contact information should anyone suspect or see that someone is being abused.

Wokingham Borough Council identifies protection of vulnerable adults and children as a key priority, regardless of the financial pressures on the budget, and has always investigated any concerns raised about potential abuse of vulnerable residents.

A local partnership oversees local practice and works with all partners and services in the borough to support them in their role of preventing and protecting everyone in the community.

Executive member for health and wellbeing Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner said: "We welcome the new guidelines but we know that there are still many cases of abuse that we are never made aware of, especially of older people. These guidelines will help to ensure that local organisations are working together to share information and prevent abuse from happening."