Coronavirus
If your safeguarding concern relates to coronavirus (COVID-19), the care provider frequently asked questions document (PDF 676 KB) may help you. We have also produced some guidance for care providers, which follows government guidance.
Safeguarding adults
Some adults aged eighteen and over due to age, disability, illness or lifestyle may not be able to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.
Identifying abuse
Abuse occurs when someone’s human and civil rights are violated by someone else. This can be:
- a single or series of actions of abuse
- deliberately or unknowingly causing harm
- failure to protect people from abuse
Anyone can abuse and often it can be the person you least expect. Abusers could include:
- spouse/partner
- carers and care workers
- family member/relative
- friend
- neighbour
- volunteer helper
- someone not known to the person
Things to look out for:
- possible changes in the person's behaviour or mood/personality
- unexplained injury or a series of injuries
- signs of fear or distress
- signs of neglect
- theft, fraud or unexplained financial worries
Reporting abuse on line
Professionals
If you are a professional or practitioner and suspect abuse please refer to the following criteria before reporting your concern:
- Criteria for reporting adult abuse (PDF 1MB)
- Adult safeguarding - responsibilities for partner agencies - additional information (PDF 607 KB)
- Adult safeguarding protocol (PDF 6MB)
- Guidance and procedures (Lancashire Safeguarding Board)
To report your concern use the professionals safeguarding alert form.
Members of the public
If you are a member of the public use our safeguarding adults alert form to report any suspected abuse on line.
Who to tell
Adult Social Care Services
Telephone: 0300 123 6721
Lancashire Police
999 in an emergency
101 in a non emergency
Health or social care staff
For example, a social worker, nurse, doctor, occupational therapist
You can also tell someone you trust. Ask them to report the matter for you.
If you are in immediate danger or you think a criminal act is being committed contact the police by calling 999.
What you can expect to happen next
If you tell health or social care staff, they will:
- take your concerns seriously
- make sure that the person is safe
- help the person to get medical treatment, if needed
- involve the police if a crime is suspected
- involve other staff to investigate and protect the person being abused
When you report a suspected abuse, you do not have to give your name, but if you do, it will not be given to the people involved.
All suspected incidents of abuse will be investigated fully and appropriately.