Report a Safeguarding Concern

Local authorities hold the lead responsibility for coordinating safeguarding concerns for both children and adults, but all agencies share a duty to protect those at risk in line with the Care Act 2014 and Children Act 2004.

If you believe a child or adult is in immediate danger, call 999.

If you are concerned about a child

If you suspect or believe a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, you must take action (Children Act 1989;2004).

Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility and all adults have a duty to report concerns.

Forms of abuse can include:

  • Emotional abuse
  • Physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect

Other forms of harm include:

  • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
  • Honour‑based abuse, including: 
    • Domestic abuse
    • Threats or intimidation
    • Psychological or sexual abuse
    • Forced marriage
    • Being held against one’s will or taken somewhere against one’s wishes
    • Assault
  • Exploitation (including CCE child criminal exploitation and/or CSE child sexual exploitation

The UK's Modern Slavery Act 2016 recognises that children cannot give informed consent to being exploited. It provides specific legal protections for minors, including a statutory defence for children compelled to commit crimes, and mandates advocates to represent trafficked children.

Make a safeguarding child referral

Surrey

Brighton and Hove

East Sussex

West Sussex

If you are concerned about a adult

Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect, while promoting their wellbeing, views, wishes, feelings and rights.

An ‘Adult at Risk’ is anyone over the age of 18 who:

  • Has care and support needs.
  • Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect.
  • As a result of their care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Types of abuse

The Care Act statutory guidance identifies ten broad categories of abuse and neglect:

  • Physical abuse - hitting, restraint, rough handling, misuse of medication.
  • Domestic abuse - coercive control, threats, violence, financial control.
  • Sexual abuse - assault, harassment, inappropriate touching, acts without consent.
  • Psychological or emotional abuse - intimidation, humiliation, isolation, verbal abuse.
  • Financial or material abuse - theft, fraud, scams, misuse of money, benefits or property.
  • Modern slavery - trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude.
  • Discriminatory abuse - harassment or unfair treatment linked to protected characteristics.
  • Organisational abuse - poor care practice, unsafe routines, neglectful systems.
  • Neglect or acts of omission - failure to provide care, food, medication, heating or support.
  • Self-neglect - neglecting personal care, health, home environment or hoarding behaviours.

Make a safeguarding adult professional referral

Surrey: Refer a resident with care and support needs or a carer for support

If you are concerned about an adult with care and support needs, who is at risk of/ or is being abused or neglected you need to report it.

Use the professional referral forms (see below) to securely submit your referral. If you feel that the person’s needs are urgent and they require immediate support please contact Surrey County Council Adult Social Care.

The person that you are referring could also use the self-assessment forms to request support themselves or use Connect to Support Surrey to find local support that is relevant to their needs.

Adult social care and support - Surrey County Council

For emergency situations outside standard hours

  • Telephone: 01483 517 898 (If this number is not working, please use the email address below)
  • Email: edt.ssd@surreycc.gov.uk
  • Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 01483 517 898
  • Text (SMS): 07800 000 388 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)

When leaving a message (by phone or email), please include your name, contact number, and whether your concern is about a child or an adult.

Brighton

East Sussex

West Sussex