News

How to recognise abuse and neglect – 4

14 October 2017 0 Comments

Stop Adult AbuseDomestic abuse

is when abuse occurs between partners, former partners or by a family member. It can include psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse as well as ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

There is information and advice about Domestic Abuse in our posts from the Talk About Abuse campaign
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/category/site/domestic-abuse/

Help

If you are affected by domestic abuse, or you think a friend or family member may be, there are specialists who can help you.

Contact Kent County Council on 03000 41 61 61 or if someone is in immediate risk, dial 999. Support will be provided by specially trained people to victims of abuse and those who report it

Ashford Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop offers free advice, information and support from a range of agencies under one roof to help victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can affect anyone and therefore, if you are a man or a woman and would like to discuss your issues, you are welcome to attend. No appointment is required just turn up.
The Willow Centre, Brookfield Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4EY
Telephone: 07598 74504
Opening times: Every Tuesday morning 9.30am – 12.30pm

Domestic Abuse Support in Kent website, a new resource covering Kent and Medway providing advice and information on services for victims, friends & family, and perpetrators of Domestic Abuse.http://www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk/

Citizens Advice online advice on domestic abuse, where you’ll find lots of organisations that can help.

If you think a friend or family member may be experiencing domestic abuse, see Citizens Advice’ guidance on how you can talk to them about it and direct them to places where they can get further help.

#StopAbuseKent
#talkaboutabuse‬

Crime, Health, Kent County Council, News, Wellbeing

Quit using medicines

14 October 2017 0 Comments

From nicotine replacement therapies – like patches, gum and inhalers – to prescription tablets, there are loads of options to help with cravings.

Some people find the nicotine cravings hard to handle when they stop smoking. But don’t worry, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products – such as patches, gum and lozenges – or prescription tablets can help you manage these cravings.

NRT products replace some of the nicotine you get from cigarettes without all the harmful elements, such as tar and carbon monoxide. They have been used by millions of smokers to help them quit and can double your chances of stopping smoking successfully. These products can be bought over the counter or you can get them on NHS prescription.

There are also nicotine-free stop smoking medicines, available on NHS prescription.

What should I choose?

Different types of stop smoking medicines work better for different people.

Speak to your GP, pharmacist, find out more on the Smokefree website, or

Contact Local stop smoking services for free advice and support
By telephone on 0300 123 1220,
fill in an online form,
text ‘quit’ to 87023,
or call at the One You Shop in Park Mall Ashford

#Stoptober

Health, News, Wellbeing

How to recognise abuse and neglect – 3

12 October 2017 0 Comments

Stop Adult AbuseThere are different kinds of abuse and it can happen anywhere. It occurs when someone exploits another person or treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions. People who abuse are not always strangers. They can also be: partners, relatives, a friend, neighbour or carer.

Types of Abuse

Some more of the types of abuse are described below.

Organisational abuse

is where an adult is placed at risk through poor professional practice and/or organisational failings. It can be a one-off incident or ongoing ill-treatment or neglect. This abuse can happen when care and support is provided at home or within an institution or care setting, such as a hospital or residential home.

Neglect

is when someone deliberately or unintentionally causes a person to suffer by failing to provide the required medical or physical care. This may include failing to provide access to appropriate health, social care or education. This can result in their essential day to day needs, such as: medication, food, drink and heating, being denied.

Self-neglect

is when a person’s behaviour, such as neglecting to care for personal hygiene, health or surroundings, has a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing. It can include behaviour such as hoarding

To report abuse,

contact Kent County Council on 03000 41 61 61 or if someone is in immediate risk, dial 999. Support will be provided by specially trained people to victims of abuse and those who report it

Kent County Council, Stop adult abuse – how to protect yourself and others (PDF, 107.2 KB)
www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/13513/AdultAbuseLeaflet.pdf

#StopAbuseKent

Crime, Health, Kent County Council, News, Wellbeing

Combatting ‘rogue landlords’ inquiry

12 October 2017 0 Comments

Private Rented Sector

Commons Select Committee for Communities and Local Government
Opens: 09 October 2017
Closes: 24 November 2017

The Communities and Local Government Committee launches inquiry into whether councils have adequate powers to tackle ‘rogue landlords’.

This inquiry into the role of local authorities in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) will focus on the provision by councils of private rented accommodation and whether they have sufficient powers to deal with bad practices.

The inquiry will also examine barriers to intervention in the private rented sector, whether landlord licensing schemes are promoting higher quality accommodation and the effectiveness of complaint mechanism for tenants. (more…)

Consultation, Government, Housing, News

How to recognise abuse and neglect – 2

11 October 2017 0 Comments

Stop Adult AbuseThere are different kinds of abuse and it can happen anywhere. It occurs when someone exploits another person or treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions. People who abuse are not always strangers. They can also be: partners, relatives, a friend, neighbour or carer.

Types of Abuse

Some more of the types of abuse are described below.

Modern slavery

is when individuals are coerced, deceived or forced into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment. This can be through human trafficking, forced labour or domestic servitude.

Financial or material abuse

relates to theft, fraud, internet fraud/scams, exploitation or pressure in connection with financial affairs or arrangements. It can also include the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

Discriminatory abuse

is when a person suffers ill-treatment or harassment because of their race, gender, cultural background, religion, physical and/or sensory impairment, sexual orientation or age. This can be referred to as hate crime.

To report abuse,

contact Kent County Council on 03000 41 61 61 or if someone is in immediate risk, dial 999. Support will be provided by specially trained people to victims of abuse and those who report it

Kent County Council, Stop adult abuse – how to protect yourself and others (PDF, 107.2 KB)
www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/13513/AdultAbuseLeaflet.pdf

#StopAbuseKent

Crime, Health, Kent County Council, News, Wellbeing

How to recognise abuse and neglect – 1

10 October 2017 0 Comments

Stop Adult AbuseThere are different kinds of abuse and it can happen anywhere. It occurs when someone exploits another person or treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions. People who abuse are not always strangers. They can also be: partners, relatives, a friend, neighbour or carer.

Types of Abuse

Some of the different types of abuse are described below.

Physical abuse

is when someone is physically harmed by another person, for example through assault, such as slapping, pushing, kicking or rough handling. It can also include the misuse of medication, or inappropriate sanctions or restraint.

Sexual abuse

relates to any sexual activity which the adult has not consented to, was not able to consent to or was pressured into consenting to. This can include rape, sexual assault or harassment, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or inappropriate touching.

Psychological abuse

includes emotional abuse, verbal assault, intimidation, bullying, cyber bullying, abandonment, threats of harm, humiliation or blaming. Any unjustified withdrawal of services or support networks is also a form of psychological abuse, as is not letting the person have choices or ignoring their wishes.

To report abuse,

contact Kent County Council on 03000 41 61 61 or if someone is in immediate risk, dial 999. Support will be provided by specially trained people to victims of abuse and those who report it

Kent County Council, Stop adult abuse – how to protect yourself and others (PDF, 107.2 KB)
www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/13513/AdultAbuseLeaflet.pdf

Crime, Health, News, Wellbeing

Quit with E-cigarettes

9 October 2017 0 Comments

E-cigarettes are a great way to help combat nicotine cravings and carry a fraction of the risk of cigarettes.

An e-cigarette is a device that allows you to inhale nicotine through vapour rather than smoke. E-cigarettes come in a variety of models and work by heating a solution that typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine, and flavourings. E-cigarette vapour doesn’t contain tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke. Using an e-cigarette isn’t completely risk-free, but it carries a small fraction of the risk of smoking and can help you quit.

E-cigarettes are particularly effective when combined with support from local stop smoking services – people who choose this route have some of the highest quitting success rates. E-cigarettes aren’t currently available on NHS prescription, but they can be bought in vape shops, pharmacies and other retail outlets.

Is it right for you?

Speak to your GP, pharmacist, find out more on the Smokefree website, or

Contact Local stop smoking services for free advice and support
By telephone on 0300 123 1220,
fill in an online form,
text ‘quit’ to 87023,
or call at the One You Shop in Park Mall Ashford

Finance, Health, News, Wellbeing

Stopping adult abuse

9 October 2017 0 Comments

Stop Adult AbuseAdult abuse is everyone’s business and this Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week (9-13 October), residents of Kent and Medway are urged to ‘See It, Report It, Stop It’.

Following our multi-agency reviews of cases, which help organisations to learn lessons and improve practice, we have particularly highlighted issues relating to neglect and self-neglect and so have agreed that our theme for this year’s campaign is “Respect not Neglect”.

Abuse comes in many forms and may include physical, psychological, financial or material, such as consumer scams, sexual abuse, neglect, modern slavery, self-neglect, hate crimes and discrimination, and domestic violence. (more…)

Crime, News, Wellbeing