Safeguarding Adults

See: Identifying and Reporting Abuse and Neglect, which is part of the larger Care Act 2014 resource.

Adults

Members of the public, external organisations and professionals

How to report a concern:If you are concerned that an adult is in imminent danger from abuse or neglect, or that a criminal act has taken place you should contact the police by dialing 999.

All adults aged 18 years and over should be able to live free from fear and harm and have their rights and choices respected.

Abuse can happen anywhere – in a residential or nursing home, in someone's own home, in a hospital, in the workplace, at a day centre or educational establishment, in supported housing or on the street. 

Who can be at risk of abuse

An adult at risk is someone aged 18 or over who may be unable to take care of themselves. They may be unable to protect themselves from harm or from being exploited by others. An adult at risk may therefore be a person who:

1. Is elderly and frail due to physical disability or cognitive impairment;
2. Has a learning disability;
3. Has a physical disability or sensory impairment;
4. Has mental health needs, including dementia or a personality disorder;
5. Has a long-term illness;
6. Misuses substances and alcohol;
7. Is a carer who provides personal assistance or care to adults and is subject to abuse;
8. Is unable to demonstrate the capacity to make a decision and is in need of care and support.

Adults at risk are more likely to experience abuse than the rest of the population. They are also less likely to be able to take precautions to keep themselves safe or use services that will help them to stay safe.

Who to call

If you have a concern, suspicion or allegation that an adult is being subjected to harm, abuse or neglect you should contact:

Non-urgent referrals

Peterborough Adult Social Care

• 01733 747474, option 4 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
• email: adultsocialcare@peterborough.gov.uk

Emergency referrals

Within office hours - Peterborough Adult Social Care

• 01733 747474, option 4 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

Outside office hours & at weekends - Emergency Duty Team 

• 01733 234724

If you think a crime has taken place, you may call the Police on 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency.

More information about safeguarding adults

For more information see: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Adults Board.

Adult Social Care Staff

Concerns should be discussed with your line manager and should also be raised directly with the safeguarding team.

ASC staff should raise a Safeguarding concern via Mosaic and submit a next action to the Safeguarding Team:

If you are concerned that an adult is in imminent danger from abuse or neglect, or that a criminal act has taken place you should contact the police by dialing 999.

Children

Make a referral for a child or young person in need, or where there is reason to suspect they are likely to suffer significant harm because of abuse or neglect. To report a safeguarding concern, see: Making a Referral on the Joint Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Safeguarding website and use the online form to make a referral. There is also full supporting guidance, risk assessment tools and threshold information.

If you are concerned that a child is in imminent danger from abuse or neglect, or that a criminal act has taken place you should contact the police by dialing 999.

See: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy.

They set out specifically how the Local Authority works with other organisations in the area, such as the police and the ICB to fulfil the requirements of the Care Act, including how they:

1. Prevent and protect adults at risk from abuse;
2. Empower and support adults to make their own choices;
3. Investigate actual (or suspected) abuse or neglect; and
4. Support adults who are at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect.

All safeguarding processes, forms and guidance can be found in the local resource area.