Introduction
The Act provides ways to offer support and protection to certain adults who may be at risk of harm or neglect.
Most adults with a mental or physical illness, learning disability, or other disability live their lives comfortably, safely and independently. They are able to protect themselves and safeguard their own interests.
For some people dependence on others may put them at risk of harm such as financial exploitation, physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect.
Harm may be caused by people they know well, such as relatives, friends, carers or by strangers.
Who Does the Act Apply to?
The Act defines an "adult at risk" of harm as a person aged 16 or over who:-
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is unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests,
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are at risk of harm, and
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because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected.
This is known as the 3 Point Test. It guides people who can help, to gauge who can benefit from the protective functions of the Act.
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