{"id":2670,"date":"2018-04-20T06:32:38","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T06:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crbdirect.org.uk\/?p=2670"},"modified":"2021-03-31T10:52:02","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T10:52:02","slug":"defining-a-vulnerable-adult","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crbdirect.org.uk\/defining-a-vulnerable-adult\/","title":{"rendered":"Defining a Vulnerable Adult"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s one of those phrases you often hear trotted out when discussing DBS checks, PVG checks in Scotland or AccessNI checks in Northern Ireland<\/a> \u2013 \u201cchildren and vulnerable adults\u201d. It\u2019s easy to define clearly what a child is, and in the UK the accepted definition is anyone under the age of 18. Defining a vulnerable adult is trickier though, and there are lists of criteria to help employers and workers decide whether the \u201cvulnerable\u201d description fits or not.<\/p>\n

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Isn\u2019t it just age and disability?<\/h2>\n

Until recently, the definition of a vulnerable adult was very clear and referred to someone who was either very elderly or disabled. However, this definition isn\u2019t particularly broad, and doesn\u2019t take into account other groups of people who might find themselves classed as vulnerable for other reasons, or even temporarily due to a medical condition. The NHS<\/a> has perhaps the best way of defining what a vulnerable adult is and talks about people \u201cwho for any reason is unable to take care of themselves\u201d or \u201cprotect themselves from exploitation\u201d. That definition neatly wraps up people who are elderly<\/a> or have a disability, but also people in different categories too.<\/p>\n

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Capacity<\/h2>\n

The concept of capacity is often confused with the definition of a vulnerable adult, and although there is some crossover between the two, there are not the same thing. Capacity is about understanding what is happening and the consequences of actions and having the cognitive ability to talk to carers or medical professionals about treatment and to make decisions. Someone who is lacking capacity through illness, old age or through a condition such as dementia is by default, a vulnerable adult. However, someone who is defined as a vulnerable adult because they have difficulty in caring for themselves may not be lacking in capacity. Every person has to be considered on an individual basis. People who are termed as vulnerable might:<\/p>\n