An adult who is at risk of being abused may require orders to protect and safeguard them from the suspected abuse. These orders can be made to support the person’s and wellbeing and to protect their rights.
Who can SACAT make orders about?
SACAT can only make an order in relation to an adult who is:
- is over 18 years of age; and
- they may be vulnerable to abuse; and
- there is a need for an order to be made.
Types of orders SACAT can make
SACAT can make the following types of orders:
- an order authorising or requiring an examination or assessment of the relevant adult
- an order requiring a specified person to do a specified thing, or to refrain from doing a specified thing, in respect of the relevant adult;
- an order authorising the Adult Safeguarding Unit, the Director or an authorised officer to take specified action where the relevant adult has refused to consent to the taking of that action;
- such other orders as may be necessary or appropriate to enable the functions conferred on the Adult Safeguarding Unit under the Act to be performed in respect of the relevant adult;
- any other orders as SACAT thinks fit.
Who can apply for an order?
An application can be made to SACAT by the Director for the Office for Ageing Well for any order listed above if it is reasonably suspected that an adult is at risk of abuse and an order is necessary or appropriate to protect that person, to assess whether there is abuse or risk of abuse or to aid the exercise of powers under the Act.
An application can also be made to SACAT for certain types of orders:
- the person who the application is about
- a guardian appointed under the Guardianship and Administration Act
- a Substitute Decision-Maker under an Advance Care Directive
if it is reasonably believed that the adult is at risk of abuse and the applicant is believes an order is necessary and appropriate.
SACAT is able to make interim orders as it thinks fit and is able to vary or revoke an order under the Act on application by a party to the proceedings.
