Adult safeguarding - Report a concern about an adult

Safeguarding means protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of adults at risk, enabling them to live safely, free from abuse and neglect.  Safeguarding is everyones responsibility.

It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and reduce both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect.  It also means making sure that the adult's wellbeing is supported and their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs are respected when agreeing on any action.

Who is an 'adult at risk'?

An 'adult at risk' is someone who may be in need of help because they have care and support needs. They may be unable to stop someone else from harming or exploiting them.

Abuse happens when someone hurts you or treats you badly. It can be accidental or deliberate. Abuse can take many forms. There doesn't need to be an injury for abuse to have taken place.  Neglect is when someone who is meant to look after you does not look after you properly.

What do we mean by abuse?

Abuse is described as a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons which results in significant harm. Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.

What forms do abuse and neglect take?

Physical abuse

 Including hitting, slapping, pushing, unnecessary restraint or misusing medications.

Domestic violence 

Including all types of abuse between family members or partners; so called ‘honour’ based violence. Further information can be found here

Sexual abuse

 Including inappropriate touching, indecent exposure, rape, harrassment or any sexual acts the adult has not consented to.

Psychological abuse 

Including emotional abuse, threats of harm, attempts to control, coercion, verbal abuse and bullying.

Financial or material abuse 

Including theft, fraud, coercion with regard to financial affairs, you can read more on our Staying safe online pages, 

Modern slavery 

Including forced labour and human trafficking. Modern Slavery is a serious and brutal crime in which people are treated as commodities and exploited for criminal gain. The true extent of modern slavery in the UK, and indeed globally, is unknown - Home Office. Further information can be found here 

• How to Identify a Victim of Modern Slavery or Human Trafficking / Modern Slavery Flowchart 

Discriminatory abuse

 Harassment or slurs due to someone's race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or gender identity. You can read more information on our Hate Crime pages

Organisational abuse 

Including neglect and poor care practice within a care setting or in relation to care provided in one’s own home.

Neglect and Acts of Omission 

Failure to act or ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs.

Self-neglect

Neglecting to care for your own health, hygiene or surroundings. This can include hoarding.

The six principles for safeguarding adults are:

• Empowerment: Presumtpion of person-led decisions and informed consent
• Prevention: It is better to take action before harm occurs
• Proportionality: Proportionate and least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented
• Protection: Support and representation for those in greatest need
• Partnerships: Local solutions through services working with their communities
• Accountability:  Accountability and transparency in delivering