Adults with care and support needs - definition

The adult safeguarding duties under the Care Act 2014 apply to an adult, aged 18 or over, who:

• has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs), and
• is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
• as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Care and support is practical, financial and emotional help for adults who need extra support to live independently. This includes older people, people with disabilities or long term health conditions, people with mental health needs, and carers.

Care and support includes assessing a person’s needs, providing services, and allocating funding so people can arrange their own care and support. This may include care homes, home care, personal assistants, day services, or aids and adaptations.