Reporting a safeguarding concern involves ensuring that vulnerable individuals, whether adults or children, are protected from abuse or neglect.

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The process varies depending on the situation, but here are the general steps to follow:

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1. Recognize the Signs of Abuse or Neglect

• Physical abuse: Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.

• Emotional abuse: Fearfulness, withdrawal, or sudden changes in behavior.

• Neglect: Poor hygiene, malnutrition, or untreated medical issues.

• Sexual abuse: Inappropriate behavior or knowledge for age, physical signs.

• Financial abuse: Unexplained loss of money or possessions.

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2. Document the Concern

• Write down what you observed: Be specific about the dates, times, and details of the concern.

• Keep records factual: Avoid assumptions or interpretations, and document only what you have seen, heard, or been told.

• Include relevant personal details: This could include the name of the person at risk, their date of birth, and any known vulnerabilities.

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3. Report the Concern

• If it’s an emergency, and the person is in immediate danger, contact the police by dialing 999.

• To a manager: If you work in a care setting or organization, report it to your manager or safeguarding lead immediately.

• Local authorities: Contact your local council’s safeguarding team. This can be done via their website or safeguarding helpline.

  • For children, report to the local authority’s children’s safeguarding team.

  • For adults, contact the adult safeguarding team.

• NSPCC: You can also call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice or to report a concern about a child.

• For concerns about adults: Call Action on Elder Abuse at 080 8808 8141 or contact the Care Quality Commission (CQC) if the concern relates to a care setting.

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4. Provide Information

• When making a report, provide as much information as possible:

  • Details about the person at risk (name, age, address).

  • Description of the concern (what happened, where, when, and who was involved).

  • Any known family or professional involvement.

  • Any steps already taken to protect the person.

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5. Follow Up

• Confidentiality: You can usually report concerns anonymously, but it’s helpful to leave your details so you can be contacted for further information.

• Record the report: Keep a copy of any report you make, noting the time and date and the person you spoke to.

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6. Whistleblowing

• If you're a professional, and you feel your concern is not being addressed properly, you can report it directly to a safeguarding body (like the local council, CQC, or Ofsted for children’s services).

Ensure you follow your organization's safeguarding policy if you're in a care or educational setting.