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 decision 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 a downloadable PDF of your report with a reference number.
  • 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 decision and reasoning via email.
  • The report will not be monitored after 5pm Monday -Thursday and 4.30 on Friday. If you feel your safeguarding concern is urgent, please consider contacting emergencies services on 999. if you think you need urgent advice, please contact the emergency duty service on Phone 01484 414933 (this is an out-of-office hours service)

If the concern is found not be a safeguarding concern:

  • You will receive email communication with a rationale and advised on next steps.

Reporting other types of abuse