PART 1Care and support

Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse or neglect

42Enquiry by local authority

(1)

This section applies where a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in its area (whether or not ordinarily resident there)—

(a)

has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),

(b)

is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and

(c)

as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

(2)

The local authority must make (or cause to be made) whatever enquiries it thinks necessary to enable it to decide whether any action should be taken in the adult's case (whether under this Part or otherwise) and, if so, what and by whom.

(3)

“Abuse” includes financial abuse; and for that purpose “financial abuse” includes—

(a)

having money or other property stolen,

(b)

being defrauded,

(c)

being put under pressure in relation to money or other property, and

(d)

having money or other property misused.