THE NUMBER of people reporting concerns about the safety of vulnerable adults in Gloucestershire has risen dramatically in the last year.

The number of safeguarding concerns being brought to the attention of Gloucestershire County Council’s Adult Helpdesk has risen by 61 per cent in 2012/13 compared to the previous year.

The trend, which is also being experienced by neighbouring authorities in the south west and nationally right across the UK, saw the council’s safeguarding team handle 2,065 reports about adult safety last year.

All concerns were looked into by the council and of these, 970 were found to need further investigation using full safeguarding procedures - an increase of 120 per cent on the previous year.

The report reveals the top five reporters of safeguarding concerns were residential care homes, domiciliary care staff, acute hospitals, social workers and family members.

Most concerns related to allegations of physical injury, neglect or financial crime, with 64 per cent of concerns relating to incidents occurring at home, including their own home or a care home.

Of all concerns reported and then investigated, 34 per cent of were shown to be partly or completely substantiated.

These cases resulted in further action including prosecution, extra monitoring or a change in care arrangements.

The news comes after Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adult’s Board published its annual report, which looks at how it can continue to coordinate efforts in keeping vulnerable adults in the county safe.

The nationally reported rise in safeguarding concerns is a result of UK-wide media interest in adult safeguarding issues following the government’s Winterbourne View Report.

In response to the sharp rise in safeguarding concerns being reported, the council will introduce a specialist service so all concerns are considered quickly and consistently by one dedicated team.

Independent chairman for the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adult’s Board, Roger Clayton, said it had been a busy year for the board.

“As the message has got out there that everyone has a role to play in keeping vulnerable adults safe from harm, we have seen more reports of safeguarding concerns coming in on adult help lines,” he said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank board members for their work in helping to reduce the risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable people in Gloucestershire.”

If you think a vulnerable adult is at risk of harm, call the adults helpdesk on 01452 426868.