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Report a concern about an adult

Adult safeguarding means keeping adults safe from abuse or neglect. Cambridgeshire County Council has a safeguarding responsibility around 'adults at risk'. We take this very seriously. We are committed to dealing with all aspects of abuse and neglect, including self neglect.

An adult at risk:

  1. has a need for care and support
  2. is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, including self-neglect
  3. as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect

If you are aware of an adult who has care and support needs, and is at risk of abuse or neglect, please report a safeguarding concern. (It may not be possible to know whether someone is unable to protect themselves due to their care needs at this point.)

In an emergency

If you are worried about an adult who is in immediate danger or needs medical treatment contact the police and/or call an ambulance on 999.

How to report a safeguarding concern

Tell us if you are worried about an adult. Even if you are not 100% sure or don't have all the details, please tell us.

If you are concerned that an adult at risk is being abused or neglected (including self-neglect)

Complete the safeguarding concern form

If you are concerned around wellbeing in general

Worries about frailty, mobility, forgetfulness and loneliness should not be reported through the safeguarding form.

Where to get help with common wellbeing concerns

Make a safeguarding referral

If you are a professional working for Cambridgeshire County Council you should be use the internal reporting process (i.e. Mosaic). If you are unable to do this, or you are an external professional, please use the safeguarding referral form for adults.

Referrals that do not meet the statutory criteria for safeguarding will be passed to other teams, and no further action may be taken. This could cause a delay in support.

Social care needs

If an adult or carer needs help with everyday activities - such as personal care, staying safe, maintaining independence, or managing their wellbeing -they may have care and support (social care) needs.

Contact adult services - online form

Alternatively, you can call us on 0345 045 5202

9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Outside office hours

If someone is in danger and unable to protect themselves, or cannot remain in the community without immediate intervention, telephone: 01733 234 724. In an emergency call 999.

What happens after you raise a safeguarding concern?

Here is what you can generally expect.

A social worker or trained professional will review the concern, typically within 24–48 hours.

Urgent action: If the person is in immediate danger, action will be taken right away, potentially involving the police.

Contact with the adult: Professionals will aim to talk to the adult concerned to understand their wishes, get their consent, and assess the risk.

The 'enquiry': The council will gather information from you, the adult, and other agencies (police, health services) to determine if abuse or neglect has occurred.

Advocacy: If the person has difficulty understanding the process, an independent advocate may be arranged to support them.

Planning: A 'safeguarding planning meeting' may be held to decide on next steps, such as changing care arrangements or providing support.

No further action: If the person is safe or the criteria are not met, the case may be closed, often with advice or referrals to other services.

Safeguarding plan: If risk remains, a plan will be created to stop the harm and reduce future risks.

Criminal investigation: If a crime is suspected, the police will lead an investigation.

Feedback: You should receive confirmation that your concern was received and acted upon.

Confidentiality: We may not share full details of the investigation with you. Whilst we aim to provide feedback on the outcome of your concern this is subject to data protection laws and the confidentiality of the person at risk.

Advocacy and support

Where an adult at risk has substantial difficulty in being involved with any safeguarding enquiry, and there is no appropriate individual to support, represent or help with their involvement, we will arrange for an independent advocate to support and represent the person if they wish.

Where someone lacks the capacity to understand or recognise that they are at risk of abuse or neglect, and has no one appropriate to represent their views, the person will get the support of an advocate.

More information about advocacy

Further sources of information