The 'No Secrets' Guidance advises all local authorities in England to have multi-agency arrangements to protect vulnerable adults from abuse. Vulnerable adults are defined as people who are in receipt of, or who may be eligible for, Community Care services. Manchester has a multi-agency policy built on the basic foundation that all adults are entitled to respect for their rights and dignity. Vulnerable adult abuse often falls into the category of domestic abuse when the abuser is a family member, partner or ex partner.

There is a training programme to provide staff in a range of agencies with an awareness of the need to protect vulnerable adults. There is also a course for managers enabling them to investigate alleged cases of abuse. The course dates are given in the domestic abuse newsletter. The policy and further information can be found at

  www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?downloadID=1060

Nigel Hunt, Adult Safeguarding Coordinator can be contacted by e-mail at nigel.hunt@manchester.gov.uk.