What adult safeguarding is

Adult safeguarding is a multi-agency procedure for protecting adults, aged 18 years or over, at risk from abuse or neglect, and in need of community care services due to:

  • Mental health, disability, age, or illness,
  • And being unable to take care of or protect themselves against harm or exploitation.

How to report abuse or neglect

If you are a professional and are aware of abuse or neglect you can report a safeguarding concern online. Before you do this you must:

  • In an emergency, don't wait - call 999
  • Ensure the immediate safety and welfare of the adult at risk and any other person at risk,
  • If a crime has been committed, ensure the concern has been reported to the police on 101,
  • Preserve any evidence,
  • Gather an accurate record and details of the incident, and any actions or decisions that have been made or planned.

Information required to report a safeguarding concern

Details of the adult at risk

  • Name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Capacity to give consent

Your details

  • Name
  • Relationship to victim
  • Contact details

Details of the person alleged to have caused harm (if known)

  • Name
  • Address

Information about your concern

  • Nature of the concern
  • The date and time of the incident
  • Location of the incident

Outcomes and actions

  • Desired outcomes for the adult at risk
  • Actions already taken and planned

Report an adult safeguarding concern - for care homes only

Clock Completing this form takes around 25 minutes.

Paperclip To complete this form you will need; an email address and contact number, as well as the information required for reporting the concern mentioned above.

Cross You must not report a safeguarding issue for anybody under the age of 18 via this form.

Report an adult safeguarding concern for care homes

After you've submitted

  • You will receive confirmation of your report via email.
  • Our team will process the report and decide what requirements and actions are needed.
  • You may be contacted by phone for more information, or if any information is amiss.
  • Once the safeguarding concern has been reviewed, you will receive confirmation of the case decsion and reasoning via email.

If the concern is found not be a safeguarding concern:

  • You will be contacted and advised on an alternative resolution.

Report an adult safeguarding concern - for professionals

Clock Completing this form takes around 25 minutes.

Paperclip To complete this form you will need; an email address and contact number, as well as the information required for reporting the concern mentioned above.

Cross You must not report a safeguarding issue for anybody under the age of 18 via this form.

Report an adult safeguarding concern for professionals

After you've submitted

  • You will receive confirmation of your report via email.
  • Our team will process the report and decide what requirements and actions are needed.
  • You may be contacted by phone for more information, or if any information is amiss.
  • Once the safeguarding concern has been reviewed, you will receive confirmation of the case decsion and reasoning via email.

If the concern is found not be a safeguarding concern:

  • You will be contacted and advised on an alternative resolution.

Safeguarding adults multi-agency procedure documents

Reporting other types of abuse