Some reports will indicate that immediate protection and urgent action is required because the reported information identifies that an adult at risk, and potentially other adults and children, are at risk and need immediate protection. In these circumstances, agencies with the relevant protection powers (social services or the police) or with service responsibility (health or emergency services) must act quickly to secure the individual’s and others’ immediate safety.
For example: a woman with dementia is receiving support from her husband. Her husband has previously refused external support for his wife, but it has been acknowledged that he is suffering extreme stress in caring for her. Today, neighbours have heard him shouting at his wife and making statements that he will have to end things for both of them. He has tried to commit suicide previously, in his 60s when he suffered from depression after retiring. He has refused to allow the neighbours access to the house and merely shouts out that everything is ok when they call at the door. Bearing in mind his history and the extreme stress he is under currently, immediate action is required to protect the adult at risk and secure her immediate safety.