Abuse of vulnerable adults reaches acute levels in East End

The risk of abuse and neglect facing vulnerable and marginalised adults has reached acute levels in London’s deprived East End, a local councillor has warned. Work is needed to improve how cases are reported to Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Adult Board in the face of welfare and public spending cuts, its annual report stresses.

Tower Hamlets council - Credit: Archant

There is urgent need to raise public awareness of safeguarding to make sure neighbours and social workers can “spot, prevent and respond to risks, abuse and neglect” more appropriately.

The need is likely to rise as east London’s population grows, the report says, with people living longer while welfare reforms and public spending cuts continue.

“The risks of abuse and neglect are acute,” the council’s Health and Adult Services cabinet member Amy Whitelock Gibbs said. “So it’s vital that we build up the profile of adult safeguarding so that it becomes everyone’s business.

“Tower Hamlets has high levels of adult vulnerability linked to poverty, unemployment, health inequalities (to more affluent areas) and poor housing.”

The East End has a high level of need for safeguarding, the report stresses.

But it shows generally good responses from those using care services and how the board helps them feel safe.