Adult safeguarding referrals for professionals

If you are at work and are concerned that an adult is experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect, it is your responsibility to:

• Take immediate action to address the risk whenever possible
• Consider making a safeguarding referral to the council

To decide whether to make a safeguarding referral, consider the following criteria to support your decision making:

1. Do you have reasonable cause to suspect that the adult may have care and support needs?
2. Do you have reasonable cause to suspect that the adult is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect?

Decision making may not be straightforward. You must use your professional judgement. You must also ensure defensible decision making when deciding whether to make a safeguarding referral to the council. A decision is defensible if despite a negative outcome, you can demonstrate that all reasonable steps had been taken in its assessment and management.

Please follow the guidance for professionals before making a safeguarding referral. Safeguarding is everybody’s business. You have a responsibility to ensure the person’s safety first and to talk to them about your concerns whenever possible. You do not need to inform us about everything and there are helpful examples in the guidance.

If you think that someone may be subject to abuse or neglect and would like advice about making a referral, please phone our dedicated professional’s line on 023 8083 4307.

If the person both:

• Is at risk due to unmet needs rather than abuse or neglect
• Has no social care provision in place

Please complete the Adult Social Care referral form instead. If they do have care provision in place, or you are unsure, please call us on 023 8083 3003. Making a safeguarding referral in these circumstances will not result in a quicker response. Please help us be as efficient as possible by using the correct referral route.