Advice and guidance
Below you will find a wide range of advice and guidance for adults at risk, carers and the public, from national and local services.
Advocacy
Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) are a safeguard for people who lack capacity to make some important decisions. The IMCA role is to support and represent the person in the decision-making process. Essentially they make sure that the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is being followed. Information about the IMCA service provided by NCompass: IMCA Hub Factsheet.pdf
Autism
What is the Autism Spectrum? Who can help with Autism? Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions about autism here: OSAB Frequently Asked Questions - Autism
Bereavement
OSAB have compiled a short guide containing links and telephone numbers to both local and national services offering support with grief and bereavement. Take a look here. Thank you to Healthwatch Oldham for their support with this.
The Coroners’ Courts Support Service provides support and guidance for bereaved people attending Inquests. Please view their leaflet here: CCSS Bereavement Leaflet.pdf
Dementia
The Oldham Dementia Partnership have produced an information handbook for people in Oldham living with dementia, their family and carers. Take a look here.
Domestic Abuse
The Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline is launching a brand new freephone telephone number. This will allow more victims of Domestic Abuse and violence to contact them for free and in confidence. Victims of Domestic Abuse, professionals, and worried friends and family can call for free Monday–Friday 10:00-16:00 on 0800 254 0909.
The Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline is ran by Independent Choices Greater Manchester (ICGM); a Greater Manchester-based professional organisation, with over 40 years experience supporting, advising and working with victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse. Their helpline is a vital service and is often the first port of call for many people. Find out more here: Independent Choices Greater Manchester (domesticabusehelpline.co.uk).
Forced Marriage
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has published information for people directly affected by forced marriage here.
HM Courts and Tribunal Service have provided a guide to how Forced Marriage protection orders can protect people here.
Fraud and Scams Awareness and Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fraud? What is Phishing? What should you do if you receive a suspicious email? Take a look at and share our Frequently Asked Questions about Fraud and Scams: OSAB Fraud and Scams Frequently Asked Questions.
Have a look at this fantastic guide from Think Jessica, National Trading Standards, Action Fraud and West Midlands Police. It contains information about identity fraud, phone spoofing scams, courier scams, investment scams, rogue trader scams and many more. The guide also includes some essential information about who to contact for advice and support (click on the image):
Greater Manchester Police have produced a ‘Little Book of Big Scams’ full of information to increase awareness of the vast array of scams that are being used (click on the image)
Hoarding
What is Hoarding? And, who can help? Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions about Hoarding here: OSAB Hoarding Frequently Asked Questions
Inquests
The Coroners’ Courts Support Service provides information for those attending an Inquest at a Coroner’s Court. Please view their leaflet here: CCSS Helpline Leaflet.pdf
Loan Sharks
If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions you might be borrowing from a loan shark: Did they offer you a cash loan? Did they not give you paperwork? Did they add huge amounts of interest or APR to your loan? Have they threatened you? Are you scared of people finding out? Have they taken your bank card, benefit card, passport, watch or other valuables from you?
If you are the victim of a loan shark, please don’t suffer in silence, help and support is available from 'Stop Loan Sharks' also known as the England Illegal Money Lending Team. Their specialist team of investigators and LIASE officers work together throughout the country to stop loan sharks lending illegally and to prosecute them.
Online Abuse and Harassment
As well as the many benefits of the digital world, we also know that for some there are significant risks connected to this, i.e. post separation abuse, stalking, harassment and online bullying. Take a look at this eBook full of tips and advice on how to combat online abuse and harassment: A Guide to Reducing Online Abuse and Harassment Ebook.
Safeguarding Process - What to Expect
OSAB have produced a short leaflet to offer information and guidance to anyone involved in safeguarding enquiries. This can be the person who is subject to the enquiry or their families. The leaflet explains the safeguarding process, how a subject/family is included, how a decision can be appealed, criteria, timeframes and advocacy rights.
Take a look here: OSAB Safeguarding Leaflet - Safeguarding Process - What to Expect or click on the image below.
Self Harm
There is a stigma around self harm that can stop people who are worried about self harm from looking for help. Part of this stigma comes from the misconceptions that surround it, such as the idea that it is attention-seeking. It is not easy to just stop self-harming. Raising awareness about self harm is incredibly important to make it easier for people to get help and get through it. Awareness leads to understanding and empathy, banishing judgment and fear, and reducing the number of people who feel alone and suffer in silence. Raising awareness is about educating people who do not self harm and reaching out to people who do.
How do people Self Harm? Can I recognise Self Harm? Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions about Self Harm here: OSAB Self Harm Frequently Asked Questions.
Support for Adults who have been abused
Beyond Existing provide support groups for adults who have been abused. The groups meetings take place in Leeds (but they are happy to take referrals from surrounding areas). Therapeutic groups are run for men and women (aged over 18) who have experienced abuse in childhood and/adulthood; or who are currently living in abusive situations. The groups meet once a month usually on a Saturday. There is no charge for attending a group, but commitment to attend regularly is required. Transport cannot be provided. Survivors can refer themselves or a professional/worker can refer (with consent). Please view a leaflet here: Beyond Existing Leaflet 2020.pdf