Understanding the Core Principles of Adult Safeguarding
The most widely recognized component of the framework for protecting adults from abuse is the set of six core principles that guide all safeguarding practices. These principles, adopted from the UK's Care Act 2014 and reflected in similar guidelines globally, ensure a person-centered and rights-based approach. They apply to all organizations and individuals involved in the health and social care of adults at risk.
The Six Principles of Safeguarding Adults
- Empowerment: This principle centers on supporting and encouraging adults to make their own decisions and provide informed consent. It emphasizes that the individual's desired outcomes should directly inform the safeguarding process.
- Prevention: It is always preferable to take action to prevent harm from occurring in the first place. This includes providing clear information about what constitutes abuse, recognizing the signs, and knowing how to seek help.
- Proportionality: The response to any risk should be the least intrusive appropriate to the situation. This ensures that interventions are balanced against the individual's right to live their life as they wish, minimizing restrictions where possible.
- Protection: The framework provides support and representation for those in greatest need. This includes helping adults report abuse and participate in the safeguarding process to the best of their ability.
- Partnership: Local solutions are achieved through services and communities working together. This involves multi-agency collaboration, including law enforcement, health services, and community groups, to prevent, detect, and report abuse.
- Accountability: All individuals and organizations involved in providing safeguarding should be transparent and accountable for their actions. This ensures clarity regarding the roles of everyone involved and that practices are held to a high standard.
The Role of Adult Protective Services (APS)
In the United States, a critical part of the framework is Adult Protective Services (APS). This is a mandated social service program in every state and territory, designed to investigate and assess reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.
How APS fits into the protective framework:
- Intake and Investigation: APS receives referrals and then investigates suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults. These investigations are crucial for uncovering hidden abuse and ensuring the safety of the individual.
- Service Planning: Based on the assessment, APS workers develop service plans tailored to the client's needs. This may involve arranging for community services, legal assistance, or medical care to address the abuse or neglect.
- Intervention and Follow-up: APS intervenes to remedy the situation and then conducts follow-ups to ensure the individual remains safe. It's important to note that the individual has the right to refuse services, unless a crime has been committed.
Legal Underpinnings: The Elder Justice Act and State Laws
The legal framework provides the foundation for safeguarding efforts. The federal Elder Justice Act authorized programs to support APS systems and conduct research on elder abuse. At the state level, specific laws govern the protection of vulnerable adults, though these laws can vary significantly.
Comparison of Safeguarding Approaches
| Feature | Six Principles of Safeguarding | Adult Protective Services (APS) | Elder Justice Act | State Vulnerable Adult Statutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Provides ethical guidelines for all adult safeguarding policies and procedures. | Offers direct, state-mandated social services for investigation and intervention. | Funds research, coordinates federal efforts, and supports state-level programs. | Grants legal authority to investigate and provide protective services to vulnerable adults. |
| Key Focus | Holistic, person-centered approach (e.g., empowerment, proportionality). | Reactive response to reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. | Coordination, funding, and data collection on elder abuse. | Establishes definitions of abuse and legal remedies, such as protection orders. |
| Funding/Legislation | Primarily derived from legislative guidance like the UK's Care Act 2014, influencing global practice. | State and local government programs, often supported by federal grants. | Federal legislation passed in 2010 and updated through subsequent actions. | Varies significantly depending on state-specific legislation. |
| Scope | Broad philosophical and practical guidance for practitioners and organizations. | Case-specific investigation and resolution of reported maltreatment. | Federal-level initiatives and coordination across the US. | Enforces and outlines specific procedures and protections within a given state. |
Proactive and Community-Based Prevention
An essential, yet often undervalued, part of the protective framework is proactive prevention. It is better to stop harm from happening before it starts, and this requires a community-wide effort. This preventative approach includes educating the public, building social connections, and supporting caregivers.
Strategies for prevention:
- Educate and Raise Awareness: Informing the public and professionals about the signs of abuse helps with early detection and reporting. This reduces the normalization of abuse and increases the likelihood that it will be identified.
- Reduce Isolation: Loneliness and isolation are significant risk factors for abuse. Encouraging older and vulnerable adults to stay connected with family, friends, and community groups can create a stronger support network.
- Support Caregivers: Caregiver burnout is a known antecedent to abuse and neglect. Providing support services, such as respite care and counseling, can alleviate stress and reduce the risk of harm.
- Implement Organizational Policies: Organizations that provide care should implement sound abuse prevention policies, including staff vetting, training, and supervision. A strong organizational culture and transparent procedures are key.
Conclusion
The framework for protecting adults from abuse is a multifaceted system built on legal mandates, ethical principles, and collaborative action. It begins with the fundamental belief in the right of all adults to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. At its core are the six principles of empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability, which provide the ethical compass for all interventions. Programs like Adult Protective Services and laws such as the Elder Justice Act provide the practical tools and legal authority to investigate reports and intervene when abuse is suspected. Yet, a robust framework goes beyond reaction and emphasizes proactive prevention through community engagement, public awareness, and caregiver support. By combining individual-focused, responsive interventions with broad, preventative community strategies, the framework strives to create a society where all adults at risk are safeguarded, their autonomy is respected, and their well-being is promoted. For more information on reporting suspected abuse, individuals can contact their local Adult Protective Services agency.
Citations
- Ann Craft Trust. (2025). Six Principles of Adult Safeguarding. https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/six-principles-adult-safeguarding/
- CDC. (2024). About Abuse of Older Persons. https://www.cdc.gov/elder-abuse/about/index.html
- Congress.gov. (2025). Adult Protective Services: Background and Funding. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12917
- NIH. (2024). Safeguarding adults: A concept analysis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11638518/
- SCIE. (2025). What are the six principles of safeguarding?. https://www.scie.org.uk/safeguarding/adults/introduction/six-principles/
