Campaign urges Falkirk residents to speak up to help protect vulnerable adults

That’s the question a new awareness raising campaign is asking people in Falkirk.

The #SeenSomethingSaySomething campaign now running on social media in Falkirk aims to highlight a vital council service that is there to protect the most vulnerable adults in our communities.

And it needs your help.

“Our message is that if you have seen some that doesn’t seem quite right, please tell us,” says Gemma Ritchie, lead officer in Falkirk Council’s adult support and protection.

“If your instinct tells you something isn’t right, don’t keep it to yourself!” 

The kind of harm they are asking people to look out for might well be physical, with bruises and marks bearing witness to the abuse.

Or it might be financial – someone who says they are “borrowing” a vulnerable person’s money or stopping their access to money.

And other kinds of harm – sexual, psychological and neglect – can also happen right here in Falkirk.

The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 means local authorities have a legal duty to step in if they think a vulnerable adult is being harmed or is at risk of harm.

In Falkirk, Gemma’s team leads a committee that includes partners such as the NHS, the police and the fire and rescue service.

Others who can be called on to help include Victim Support Scotland and Trading Standards.

There are also advocacy workers, who are independent people who help the adult say what they want to happen.

Many of those who need the service are elderly – because as they increasingly need to rely on others, they become increasingly open to exploitation.

But getting people the help they need is not always straightforward and people can be reluctant to get social work involved.

Gemma explained: “People’s privacy and rights are really important things.

“People can be very anxious about change and we also have to remember that quite often it’s a family member who is the perpetrator.

“That’s difficult – but our staff are very well trained and we support people in a way that will also support the family relationships.”

Last year, the team had 557 referrals in the Falkirk area – most of them raising concerns about elderly people – but the number they get from non-professionals is still fairly low.

And that’s something they want to change so that friends, family, neighbours, shop workers all know who to contact if they suspect a vulnerable person is being harmed.

Gemma says that often simple steps can help.

“We don’t want to go in and take over – we’re only there if we need to be,” she said.

It might be as simple as getting them help to do their own shopping or it might mean taking them to a local class or group that means they are less isolated.

“We have some excellent community groups all over Falkirk and there is some really good community support out there.

“Of course, if a crime has been committed, the police will pursue it but it’s about support and protection first,” she said.