The number of concerns made to HSE Safeguarding and Protection Teams in 2021 jumped by 10% when compared to 2020, a new report has revealed.

The National Safeguarding Office (NSO) is responsible for coordinating and leading the implementation of the HSE’s safeguarding policy that applies to disability and older person services. This safeguarding policy aims to support the welfare and safety of adults who may be vulnerable and at risk of abuse.

According to the NSO’s Annual Report 2021, the total number of safeguarding concerns reported to the HSE Safeguarding and Protection Teams in 2021 was 11,640 – a 10% increase on 2020’s figure.

Two-thirds of these safeguarding concerns related to people under the age of 65, while the remainder, which amounted to 3,671, related to people over the age of 65. Over 1,300 reports related to people over the age of 80.

For those under the age of 65, the most significant category of alleged abuse was psychological (46%), followed by physical abuse (34%).

For those aged 65-79 years, the most significant category of alleged abuse was psychological abuse (42%), followed by physical (25%) and financial abuse (16%).

For adults over the age of 80, the most significant category of alleged abuse was psychological (36%), financial (21%) and physical (17%).

When it came to the person who was allegedly causing the concern, in those under the age of 65, two-thirds of cases identified “another service user”. In those over the age of 65, almost half of the concerns referred to “immediate family members”.

Responding to the report, Safeguarding Ireland, which is an independent organisation that works to promote the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, called for greater awareness of the issue of adult abuse.

It noted a “strong association between psychological and financial abuse among those over 80”.

“What starts as psychological abuse often becomes financial abuse. An attitude prevails among some people that it is ok to step in and gradually assume authority over an older or frail person’s finances.

“However, this is not true and needs to be called out. The role of families, loved ones and carers is to respect older people to retain control of their own finances and to facilitate support for independent decision-making if needed,” commented Safeguarding Ireland chairperson, Patricia Rickard-Clarke.

She emphasised that no other person “has entitlement to use or influence an older person’s money unless this authority is legally assigned to them through an active Enduring Power of Attorney”.

Meanwhile, Safeguarding Ireland noted that the level of under-reporting of abuse in Ireland is high. It pointed to RED C research it commissioned in 2020, which found that 12% of all adults reported having experienced adult abuse in the previous six months, while one-third of adults reported ever having experienced abuse.

The organisation called for the establishment of an independent national safeguarding authority with responsibility for all aspects of safeguarding including reporting.

The NSO Annual Report 2021 can be viewed here.