If you suspect, tell us
If you think an adult is being abused or neglected, please report it to us. You can make a report about someone else, or about your own situation. It's much safer to report the issue, and be wrong, than to keep quiet when you're worried that something bad is happening.
If you're unsure who's at risk of abuse or neglect, or what situations or behaviour may be abusive, please check below.
Learn about who is most at risk
Someone in need of care and support can be particularly at risk of harm, abuse or neglect.
This could include anyone:
- with a physical disability or illness
- elderly or frail
- with sensory loss
- living with dementia
- with a learning disability
- with a mental health need
If you're not sure what to look out for
Abuse and neglect can take many forms. You may not feel sure if someone's behaviour or a situation is abusive or not, and perhaps the adult you're worried about can't tell you what's happening, or how they feel about it.
Use the examples below to help you to decide.
| Type of abuse | What to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Physical abuse | Hitting, slapping, kicking, being locked in a room or restrained inappropriately |
| Sexual abuse | Forcing someone to take part in a sexual activity which they don't or can't consent to |
| Emotional or psychological abuse | Shouting, teasing, name-calling, bullying, frightening or pressurising someone into decisions; not allowing someone to contact friends or family |
| Financial or material abuse | Misusing, stealing or taking away someone's money, bank cards or belongings |
| Discriminatory abuse | Treating someone badly, because of their age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or religion and belief |
| Domestic abuse | Using controlling, forcible or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse against a partner, family member or someone in the same household |
| Modern slavery | Bringing people into the UK illegally, not allowing them to leave, or forcing them to work for no or little pay (including as a domestic servant or sex worker) |
| Neglect | Failure to provide care, food, water, washing facilities or other essentials, resulting in physical harm or emotional distress |
| Self-neglect | Situations where someone refuses help with their care needs, hygiene, health or their environment, and this has a significant impact on their overall wellbeing |
When any of these types of abuse or neglect happen because of the actions (or failure to act) of an organisation, we call this organisational abuse.
To report your concerns, or discuss the situation further with a member of our team, follow the guidance below that applies to you.
Get advice
If you would like to discuss a case before making a referral, you can call us for advice. We have an all-hours service, and will respond to your call as quickly as we can.
| Day and time | Number | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Mon to Thurs 8.30am to 5pm | 01225 394200 | Regular Social Work Team |
| Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm | ||
| Evenings, bank holidays and weekends | 01454 615165 | Emergency Duty Social Work Team |
Make a referral
We're now managing reports and referrals from professionals via a new online service, Adults Portal live.
The first time you use this service, we'll ask you to set up an account. Use our Quick Start guide to help you.
You'll need to sign in to your portal account every time you make a new report, or add details about an existing case.
Call us to discuss the problem
We have an all-hours service, and will respond to your call as quickly as we can.
| Day and time | Number | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Mon to Thurs 8.30am to 5pm | 01225 394200 | Regular Social Work Team |
| Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm | ||
| Evenings, bank holidays and weekends | 01454 615165 | Emergency Duty Social Work Team |
What we'll do
When you contact us, we'll talk to you about any further action we plan to take, and consider your wishes and feelings. We'll always try to maintain confidentiality, unless it is impossible to do so. For further details about what we'll do when you report a concern to us, visit our safeguarding web page.
If there is a large-scale safeguarding concern within an organisation, such as a nursing or care home, we will progress safeguarding measures as quickly as possible.