Safeguarding adults
When someone sends us a report that someone is being neglected, harmed or at risk we will decide if a safeguarding enquiry needs to take place and if any other support is necessary. This will identify if action needs to be taken and who needs to take that action.
The enquiry:
- could be an informal conversation with the adult at risk
- could be a more formal multi-agency discussion
- does not have to follow a formal safeguarding process.
Safeguarding enquiry types
There are 2 types of safeguarding enquiries based on if the person fits the criteria in Section 42 of the Care Act. If they do, it’s a legal requirement to conduct an enquiry called a Statutory S42 Safeguarding Enquiry.
These will be made if someone:
- is experiencing, or at risk of abuse and neglect
- has care and support needs
- is unable to protect themselves from the risk of abuse or neglect because of their needs.
We will sometimes make an enquiry for someone who does not meet the criteria. This is called a Non-Statutory Enquiry.
These enquiries may be made for adults who:
- are thought to be experiencing, or are at risk of abuse or neglect
- do not have care and support needs (they may just have support needs).
This could be a carer that is experiencing abuse, either intentional or unintentional.