Safeguarding adults
If you, or another vulnerable adult you know is being harmed in any way by another person please do not ignore it
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. A person with care and support needs may be more vulnerable to abuse or neglect.
Abuse and neglect can include one or more of the following:
- physical abuse; such as pinching, hitting, misuse of medication
- financial/material abuse; such as theft, fraud, exploitation, misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
- sexual abuse; including rape, sexual assault, exploitation, sexual photography, amending images to create sexualised images, sharing sexual images or sexual acts which an adult has not consented to and may not understand
- psychological abuse; including emotional abuse, or threats of harm or abandonment, humiliation, controlling or intimidation
- discriminating abuse; abuse on the grounds of race, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment
- exploitation; including unfairly manipulating someone for profit or personal gain
- neglect or acts of omission; including ignoring medical or physical care needs or withholding the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating
- organisational abuse; which can occur in an individual’s own home, or a social or health care establishment such as a hospital or care home. Includes poor practice or neglect, ill treatment or gross misconduct
- a mate crime; occurs when a person is harmed or taken advantage of by someone they thought was their friend
- a hate incident; any incident where the victim (or anyone else) thinks it is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender
- self neglect; a wide range of behaviour including neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings. It can also include behaviour such as hoarding
Protecting adults at risk (Connect to Support Hampshire)
What to do if you're concerned about an adult
If you are concerned about an adult, don’t ignore it. If the abuse you have seen is a crime, you should report this to Hampshire Constabulary or call the police on 101.
In an emergency, or if you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
You can complete an online safeguarding referral to let adult social care know about your safeguarding concerns. Read the following information to find out what information we will need and then complete the form relevant to you.
The online referral form is not available from 6pm until 8am, or at weekends.
Making a safeguarding request to adult social care as a member of the public
This process is for members of the public only.
If you are a care provider or a professional making a referral, see the section for professionals.
When submitting a request to adult social care, we will need the following information:
- name, address and date of birth of the person at risk
- your details; including your relationship to the individual
- GP details; if you know them
- why you think the person is at risk; giving as much detail as you can
- your incident number (only if you have contacted the police and have one)
Make a request or referral
Making a safeguarding request to adult social care as a professional or care provider
If your safeguarding concerns are a form of abuse that constitutes a crime, you have a responsibility to contact Hampshire Constabulary to raise your concerns. You can use their online form or contact 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Before you make a referral, you should consider the following:
- have you discussed your concerns with the person and sought their feedback?
- are you sure that a safeguarding concern is a proportionate response?
- if appropriate, have you notified the responsible organisations or agencies with immediate responsibility for ensuring the safety of the person?
- have you done all you can within the boundaries of your profession or professional code of practice and organisational requirements to prevent harm or further harm occurring?
When reporting your safeguarding concern to adult social care, we will need the following information:
- why you are concerned; what type of abuse do you feel has occurred or is at risk of occurring?
- why you believe the individual has care and support needs? This helps us to identify the type of need the individual has, such as a physical or learning disability, mental health, frailty or a sensory impairment. These needs may not currently be met by the council or any other organisation
- whether the individual is aware that you are contacting adult social care; their views in relation to this and what they would like to happen as a result. You should discuss their wishes with them, and gain their consent at the earliest opportunity before you report a concern to us. There are some situations where you should make a referral, even if you are unable to get the individual’s consent, such as:
- if there is a risk to others (including children or other adults at risk)
- if a crime has been committed or action is needed to prevent a crime
- the adult may not understand the risks to them, and it is in their best interests to take action
- if you believe someone is refusing support because they are being coerced or influenced
- if there has been abuse or neglect by a person in a position of trust, such as a carer or healthcare professional
- if you have not discussed the referral, your reasons for not doing so. There are exceptional circumstances when this may not be appropriate, such as if it would place the individual at greater risk
- the name, date of birth and address of the adult at risk
- whether anyone lives with them; including children, relatives or carers and, where possible, any contact details
- if they are getting help from any other organisation
- if a crime has been committed we will need to know the incident number you received from Hampshire Constabulary
- the individual’s GP details and address, if known
- any known details of alleged perpetrators
Make a request or referral
Safeguarding services provided by Hampshire County Council
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) provides triage and multi agency assessment of safeguarding concerns in respect of vulnerable adults and children. It brings together professionals from a range of agencies into an integrated multi agency team.
MASH will review the concerns to determine eligibility under Section 42 of the Care Act. This will include making enquiries to gather further information, which may include making contact with you or a relevant agency.
MASH will record the reasons for the decision and will feed back if it is appropriate to do so. The response times will be dependent on the level of risk at the point of triage.
Multi Agency Safeguarding HubHampshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB)
The Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) has information about safeguarding adults in Hampshire and includes advice, leaflets and policy documents.
(HSAB) is a partnership board committee, coordinated by the local authority to:
- provide strategic leadership for adult safeguarding across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
- meet the requirements of the Care Act 2014
Your rights
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors, inspects and regulates health and social care services; protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
The fundamental standards (CQC)Safe Place scheme
The Safe Place scheme is for vulnerable people and people with learning difficulties. This scheme provides a safe place to go for people feeling scared or upset while out on their own.
Safe Place SchemePrevent
Prevent is about safeguarding and supporting those vulnerable to radicalisation.
Prevent is one of the four elements of the Government's counter terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. See more information on GOV.UK:
Contest 2023 (GOV.UK)If you are concerned about anyone being at risk of radicalisation or suspect they are being encouraged to support terrorism; you should share these concerns as soon as possible.
If you or anyone else is not in imminent danger and therefore you do not need to call 999, you should use the appropriate referral method.
If you are a member of the public and would like to share your concerns, call:
- the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) early support line to share your concerns in confidence with specially trained officers: 0800 011 3764, or visit: ACT Early
- the Anti-Terror Hotline: 0800 789 321
Prevent information for professionals or care providers
If you are a professional (such as a care provider, educator, or social worker) and would like to share your concerns or refer someone for support relating to these concerns, you should use the following form:
Other useful contacts for reporting safeguarding concerns about an individual or situation include:
- Hampshire Children’s Services on 0300 555 1384
- Hampshire Police on 101
You can also make a referral to Hampshire adult social care for you or someone else:
Make a request or referralIf you consider there to be an immediate threat to life, you should call 999 without delay.
If you have found material online which is illegal or of an extremist nature, as well as making a referral in any one of the above ways, you can also report it anonymously. See: Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism (GOV.UK)