Safeguarding adults How do I report safeguarding concerns? You might have concerns about abuse and neglect for yourself or someone you know. • If it is an emergency, dial 999. • To report a crime or potential crime to the police, you can phone the non-emergency number 101.
• To report a safeguarding concern, please call 01905 768053. The information below tells you more about safeguarding adults and what happens when you report abuse or neglect.
What is adult safeguarding? Sometimes adults with care and support needs are unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse or neglect. ‘Safeguarding’ is a term that describes the arrangements for protecting them, and it is a legal duty. The Care Act 2014 sets out the safeguarding responsibilities of local services who must work together to safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control about how they want to live. For more information, visit www.gov.uk and search ‘care act factsheets’. What is abuse and neglect? Abuse or neglect is an action, or lack of action, that leads to harm occurring to another person. Abuse or neglect may be deliberate or result from negligence or ignorance. The Care Act 2014 and statutory guidance set out what is recognised as forms of abuse. What will happen if the concerns are about me? Your safeguarding concern will be passed to the Adult Safeguarding Team who will arrange for someone to contact you. You will be asked what you wish to achieve from the safeguarding arrangements and whether you have support or need an advocate to help you explain what you want to happen. See the ‘Independent support’ section adjacent. You will be asked who you want to be involved. Further information may need to be gathered
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and a decision will need to be made regarding whether a formal Section 42 enquiry is required or whether there is other action that should be taken. A Section 42 enquiry refers to the part of the Care Act 2014 which places a duty on Worcestershire County Council to make appropriate enquiries into the concern reported. The aim of this process is to assist you to live the life you want, with support and protection if needed. What will happen if the concerns are about someone else? Further information may need to be gathered and a decision will need to be made regarding whether Worcestershire County Council must make enquiries, or instruct an agency to do so, whenever abuse or neglect is suspected. Again, this is called a Section 42 enquiry. We will need to establish whether the person you are concerned about has capacity to consent to the safeguarding response, and whether they need an advocate to support them. If you tell us you are worried about someone being abused, you may not always be told all the details of actions taken. This is because we have a duty to keep information about people safe. Independent support Worcestershire County Council will arrange for an independent advocate (see page 40) to represent and support a person who is the subject of a Safeguarding Enquiry or a Safeguarding Adult Review, if they need help to understand and take part in the enquiry or review, and to express their views, wishes or feelings. If an individual is felt to be
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