This paper reports the extent and nature of adult protection cases dealt with by two Social Services Departments during a twelve month period in 1995–6, within the framework of newly revised generic policies on abuse of vulnerable adults. The two counties varied in the level of reporting documented and in the number of cases logged for individuals who fall within the main four groups of ‘vulnerable adults’ covered by the policies. Arguments for consistent reporting are set out and the tension which exists between formal and informal approaches to the subsequent investigation of abuse discussed with reference to American vulnerable adult statutes. Adult protection work inevitably overlaps with existing planning and regulation systems such as social care assessment, care planning, the care programme approach and inspection and registration of residential homes. The point at which these systems need to be augmented by specific adult protection procedures is a matter of professional judgement and negotiation within and between agencies. Continued monitoring of cases reported under the procedures will allow these authorities to reflect on progress to date and may provide one set of norms against which other authorities can evaluate their own practice.