As the Chief Officer for SEDCAT (South East Dorset Community Accessible Transport), Natascha and her team support some vulnerable members in our communities. SEDCAT transports adults who can’t get out and about without assistance. They collect people from their homes to go shopping, to lunch, and to medical appointments. Find out more about SEDCAT.

Natascha said “Most of SEDCAT’s clients are older, vulnerable community members who live alone and have little to no family living nearby. This means our drivers may be the only person they see regularly which allows us to identify clients at risk and report our concerns. They may not be reported to Adult Safeguarding but to their next of kin, or their GP Surgeries, who can then support them”.

Support from the Safeguarding Adults Board is only available for adults who are vulnerable and are unable to look after themselves, protect themselves from harm or exploitation or are unable to report abuse themselves. Find out more about the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adults Board (BCPSAB).

Want to learn more? Natascha and our Trusted Reviewer Team Lead, Sam, spoke to HOPE FM. Listen to their interview.

There are many different types of abuse including:
• Physical – e.g. hitting, pinching,
• Psychological / Emotional – e.g. humiliation, harassment, control
• Sexual –  e.g. rape, forcing someone to watch pornography against their will
• Financial – e.g. stealing, withholding money, controlling money
• Digital – e.g. online bullying, controlling use of social media, sexting without consent
• Neglect – e.g. being denied food, water, medicines or not being taken to the toilet

If you feel a vulnerable adult is being, abused you can:

• Call 999 if there is an immediate threat to life
• Contact their GP surgery to express your concerns
• Contact their family (unless you suspect they are the cause of abuse)
• Contact the Safeguarding Adults Board: asc.contactcentre@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or  01202 123 65