Care professionals supporting an older adult

Tier 2: Compliance and Standards

Safeguarding Adults: A Complete Guide for Care Providers

Safeguarding adults is not a compliance tick-box exercise. It is a fundamental responsibility that sits at the heart of every care service. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to make enquiries when they believe an adult with care and support needs is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect. For care providers, this creates both a legal obligation and an ethical imperative to recognise, respond to, and report safeguarding concerns promptly and appropriately.

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This comprehensive guide explains what safeguarding adults means, the six guiding principles, the types of abuse care providers must recognise, the reporting process, and how the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assesses safeguarding compliance. If you are managing a care service, understanding this guidance is essential for protecting vulnerable people and meeting your regulatory obligations.

What Is Safeguarding Adults?

Safeguarding adults is the process of protecting adults who have care and support needs from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Under the Care Act 2014, safeguarding is defined as protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

The key distinction between safeguarding and other aspects of care is that safeguarding is specifically about protecting people from harm caused by others or by their own choices when they lack capacity to make safe decisions. This is fundamentally different from general care planning, which focuses on supporting people to achieve their goals and maintain their independence.

Care Act 2014 Section 42

The legal framework for safeguarding adults comes from Section 42 of the Care Act 2014. This section places a duty on local authorities to make enquiries if they have reasonable cause to suspect that an adult experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect is unable to protect themselves because they have care and support needs.

For care providers, Section 42 enquiries often begin after a provider has reported a safeguarding concern to the local authority. The enquiry is led by the local authority's safeguarding team and investigates whether abuse or neglect has occurred and what action is needed to keep the person safe.

The Six Safeguarding Principles

The Care Act 2014 establishes six core principles that underpin all safeguarding work in adult social care. These principles are not aspirational; they are statutory requirements that must guide your decision-making and practice.

Empowerment

People are presumed to be able to make decisions and give informed consent about their care and support, including about safeguarding concerns affecting them.

Safeguarding work must not impose solutions; it must support people to make choices about how their risks are managed.

IN PRACTICE, this means involving people in safeguarding processes, listening to what they say they want, and only limiting their autonomy when necessary to prevent serious harm.

Prevention

It is better to prevent harm than to respond to it after it has occurred.

Providers must take proactive steps to identify risks, minimise opportunities for abuse, and create a culture where abuse is less likely to happen.

IN PRACTICE, this includes rigorous recruitment and vetting of staff, comprehensive training, clear reporting procedures, and regular risk assessments.

Proportionality

Any response to a safeguarding concern must be proportionate to the level of risk and the person's wishes and circumstances.

A low-level concern should not trigger a full criminal investigation; a serious concern should not be minimised.

IN PRACTICE, this means using professional judgement to decide what action is appropriate, from supportive conversations through to referral to the police or CQC.

Protection

The primary goal of safeguarding is to protect people from abuse and neglect.

Whilst empowerment and person-centred approaches are important, they cannot be used as an excuse to leave someone in danger.

IN PRACTICE, this means acting decisively when someone is at serious risk, supporting people to access help, and working with multi-agency partners to safeguard those who cannot protect themselves.

Partnership

Safeguarding is not the responsibility of one organisation. It requires coordinated action across health, social care, police, and other agencies.

Care providers must work effectively with local authority safeguarding teams, the police, health services, and the CQC.

IN PRACTICE, this means attending safeguarding meetings, sharing information appropriately, and contributing to multi-agency investigations and reviews.

Accountability

All organisations and individuals have a responsibility to be transparent about their safeguarding actions and decisions.

Accountability is both internal (to your organisation, people using services, and their families) and external (to the local authority, CQC, and ultimately the public).

IN PRACTICE, this means maintaining clear records of safeguarding concerns, documenting your decision-making, and being able to evidence how you have applied the safeguarding principles.

Types of Abuse and Neglect

Abuse can take many forms. Care providers must be trained to recognise all types of abuse, including those that may not be immediately obvious or reported directly. The types listed below form the legal basis for safeguarding definitions and are central to CQC inspection.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the use of force or violence, including hitting, pushing, restraint, or any physical assault. It can also include unnecessary or excessive use of restraint or seclusion, or the withholding of food or medication as a form of punishment.

SIGNS

Unexplained bruises, fractures, burns, or other injuries; fear when certain people are present; defensive behaviour; torn clothing

CARE Provider Responsibility

Investigate any injuries, differentiate between accidents and abuse, document findings, and report concerns to the local authority

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves any non-consensual sexual activity, ranging from inappropriate comments or exposure through to rape. Sexual abuse often occurs in care settings because perpetrators exploit positions of trust and the fact that people may have difficulty communicating or reporting abuse.

SIGNS

Inappropriate sexual behaviour; fear of specific people; changes in mood or behaviour; physical injuries; sexually transmitted infections; pregnancy in a person with severe learning disability

CARE Provider Responsibility

Create environments where sexual abuse is less likely; ensure staff are trained in recognising signs; never dismiss concerns; report to police and local authority immediately

Financial or Material Abuse

Financial abuse involves theft, fraud, exploitation, coercion, or pressure related to money, property, or possessions. This is particularly common in care settings where staff may have access to vulnerable people's finances.

SIGNS

Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts; missing possessions; confusion about finances; signatures on documents that the person may not have authorised; sudden changes in bank details or will provisions

CARE Provider Responsibility

Implement financial safeguards; supervise staff access to people's money; encourage people to understand and control their finances; investigate suspicious activity

Neglect

Neglect involves the failure to meet a person's basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, hygiene, medical care, or emotional support. Neglect can be deliberate or the result of systemic failures, lack of resources, or poor understanding of a person's needs.

SIGNS

Poor hygiene or clothing; untreated medical conditions; malnutrition; poor living conditions; lack of heat or light; emotional withdrawal

CARE Provider Responsibility

Ensure staffing levels are adequate; provide training on individual needs; implement care plans and review them regularly; escalate concerns about resource shortages

Organisational Abuse

Organisational abuse occurs when systems, policies, or practices within a service deliberately or inadvertently harm people. Examples include blanket policies that restrict choice, inadequate staffing that compromises care quality, or a culture where concerns are not taken seriously.

SIGNS

Rules applied rigidly without individual consideration; complaints not being acted upon; repeated failures in care; evidence of systemic neglect

CARE Provider Responsibility

Regularly review policies and practices; create a culture where concerns are welcomed; respond to feedback; ensure governance is robust

Discriminatory Abuse

Discriminatory abuse involves being treated unfairly because of a protected characteristic such as race, age, disability, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. This can occur in care settings where staff hold prejudices or where systemic barriers prevent certain groups from accessing safe care.

SIGNS

Evidence of unfair treatment; exclusion from activities; comments about a person's identity; assumptions about capabilities based on protected characteristics

CARE Provider Responsibility

Implement equality and diversity policies; train staff; challenge discriminatory attitudes; ensure services are accessible to all

Self-Neglect

Self-neglect involves a person failing to care for themselves in a way that puts them at risk of harm. Whilst the person may have capacity to make choices about their care, their choices place them in danger.

SIGNS

Poor living conditions; inadequate personal hygiene; untreated medical conditions; hoarding; inadequate nutrition

CARE Provider Responsibility

Assess capacity; involve people in planning; respect autonomy where possible; escalate concerns to local authority if person is at serious risk and unable to protect themselves

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Modern slavery includes forced labour, domestic servitude, and human trafficking. It can occur in care settings where vulnerable people are exploited by those in positions of power.

SIGNS

Isolation; lack of freedom of movement; fear; signs of physical abuse; exploitation through work or services; debts or financial control

CARE Provider Responsibility

Train staff to recognise signs; report concerns to the National Human Trafficking Centre; work with police and local authority

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse often occurs alongside other forms of abuse. Care providers must understand that adults they support may be experiencing domestic abuse from family members or partners and must be trained to recognise signs and respond appropriately.

SIGNS

Injuries; controlling behaviour by family members; isolation from friends and services; fear during visits; sudden changes in mood or behaviour

CARE Provider Responsibility

Train staff to recognise domestic abuse; provide safe spaces to disclose; report to police and local authority; work with domestic abuse services

Care Sector Glossary

New to the care sector? Our comprehensive glossary explains over 200 terms, acronyms, and regulatory phrases used across adult social care in the UK.

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Care professionals supporting older adults

Who Is at Risk?

The Care Act 2014 defines an adult at risk of safeguarding concerns as an adult with care and support needs who is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs.

This definition is broad and includes people with:

Physical disabilities

Learning disabilities

Mental health conditions

Dementia or cognitive impairment

Sensory impairments

Substance misuse issues

Frailty associated with age

A combination of conditions

The key element is not the type of condition but whether the person is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs. A person with significant care needs is at greater risk because they are dependent on others for support, creating opportunities for abuse.

The Safeguarding Process: The Four Rs

When a concern arises, the safeguarding process follows a sequence often remembered as the Four Rs: Recognise, Respond, Report, and Record.

1
Recognise
Staff must be trained and alert to recognise signs of abuse or neglect. This requires knowledge of the types of abuse, awareness of risk factors specific to your service user group, and attention to changes in a person's behaviour, health, or physical condition.
IN PRACTICE, Train all staff annually on safeguarding; use supervision and team meetings to discuss concerns; create a culture where staff feel empowered to raise concerns
2
Respond
The initial response is crucial. When a concern is identified or disclosed, the staff member must respond with compassion and without judgment. The goal is to keep the person safe immediately whilst gathering basic information.
IN PRACTICE, Listen carefully to what the person is saying; reassure them they have done the right thing by reporting; keep them safe; do not promise confidentiality if the concern relates to abuse; make basic enquiries to understand the situation
3
Report
The concern must be reported to your manager and, in most cases, to the local authority safeguarding team. Some concerns must also be reported to the police or the CQC. Do not delay reporting because you are unsure whether the concern is serious; it is better to report and let the professionals investigate.
IN PRACTICE, Report concerns to management immediately; report to the local authority within one working day of becoming aware of the concern; report to police if a crime has been committed or if there is immediate danger; notify CQC if required
4
Record
Keep clear, contemporaneous records of what was observed, reported, and action taken. Documentation is evidence that you have taken safeguarding concerns seriously and have followed proper procedures. It is also essential if there is a subsequent investigation or CQC inspection.
IN PRACTICE, Record facts, not assumptions; include quotes from people involved; document the timeline; record decisions and reasons; keep records secure and confidential; retain records for the appropriate length of time

Section 42 Enquiries

When a care provider reports a safeguarding concern to the local authority, a Section 42 enquiry may be initiated. The local authority has a statutory duty to make enquiries if they have reasonable cause to suspect that an adult is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves.

The enquiry is usually led by a social worker or safeguarding officer. The local authority will speak with the person who is the subject of the concern, interview relevant people (including the person who reported the concern and any alleged perpetrator), gather evidence, and determine what action is needed to keep the person safe.

Implications for Care Providers

For care providers, a Section 42 enquiry has significant implications. The provider may be interviewed, asked to provide documentation, and potentially held accountable if failings in care are identified. It is therefore essential to:

Cooperate fully with the enquiry
Provide clear, timely documentation
Maintain contact with the safeguarding team
Implement any action required to protect the person
Review your policies and practices to prevent recurrence

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Knowing who to report to and how to report is crucial. Safeguarding concerns must be reported to multiple agencies depending on the nature and severity of the concern.

Local Authority Safeguarding Team

The local authority safeguarding team is your first point of contact for most safeguarding concerns. Report concerns as soon as you become aware of them and no later than one working day after becoming aware of the concern.

Check your local authority's website for the safeguarding team contact details and referral process
Be prepared to provide the person's name, the nature of the concern, and basic information about what has occurred
Expect to be asked to provide a written report within a specified timeframe

Police

Report concerns to the police if a crime has been committed or if there is immediate danger to the person. This includes all physical assaults, sexual abuse, theft, fraud, and situations where the person is at immediate risk of serious harm.

Call 999 if there is immediate danger
Call 101 to report crimes that are not immediate emergencies
Provide a clear account of what has occurred and why you believe it constitutes a crime

CQC Notifications

Under the Care Quality Commission regulations, you are required to notify the CQC of certain serious safeguarding incidents. These include serious injuries, deaths in suspicious circumstances, and safeguarding concerns where police are investigating.

Notify the CQC within one working day of becoming aware of the incident
Provide details of what has occurred and what action is being taken
Use the CQC's secure notification portal

Other Agencies

Depending on the concern, you may also need to report to other agencies involved in the person’s care and support.

Work with relevant health and social care professionals
Share information lawfully and proportionately
Record every referral and action taken

CQC and Safeguarding

The Care Quality Commission assesses safeguarding primarily through Regulation 13 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This regulation requires that people are protected from abuse and improper treatment.

Regulation 13 covers not just safeguarding systems and processes but also the culture of the organisation. CQC inspectors will assess whether:

The service has systems to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns
Staff are trained in recognising abuse and reporting procedures
People using services feel safe
Concerns have been acted upon appropriately
Actions have been taken to prevent recurrence
Governance arrangements ensure safeguarding is taken seriously

CQC and Safeguarding inspection guidance

What CQC Inspectors Look For

During inspection, inspectors will:

Speak with people using services about whether they feel safe and what they would do if they had a concern
Review safeguarding records and policies
Examine evidence that concerns have been properly reported and investigated
Check CQC notifications to see if required notifications have been made
Assess whether action has been taken following identified concerns

Evidence Requirements

To demonstrate strong safeguarding practice during inspection, you will need to evidence:

Safeguarding policy and procedures that are accessible and understood by staff
Staff training records showing all staff have received safeguarding training at least annually
Recruitment records showing appropriate vetting and references
Supervision records that include discussion of safeguarding
Records of safeguarding concerns that have been raised internally
Evidence of reporting to local authorities and police where appropriate
Evidence of CQC notifications
Records of action taken to address identified concerns
Feedback from people using services demonstrating they feel safe

Compliance Auditing and Quality Assurance

Already registered but want to stay ahead of CQC? Our compliance auditing service provides mock inspections, evidence reviews, and ongoing quality assurance to keep your rating on track.

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Safeguarding Policies and Training

Every care provider must have comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures, and all staff must receive training in safeguarding. This is both a legal requirement and a fundamental aspect of safe service delivery.

What Your Safeguarding Policy Should Include

Your safeguarding policy should include:

Definition of safeguarding and the six principles
Types of abuse and signs that might indicate abuse
Roles and responsibilities of different staff members
Procedures for identifying and reporting concerns
Contact details for local authority, police, and other agencies
Recording procedures
What to do if concerns are raised about staff members
Support for those affected by safeguarding concerns
How the organisation will learn from safeguarding concerns

Training Requirements

The Care Certificate (the UK's common induction standard for care workers) recommends that all care workers receive comprehensive safeguarding training. The CQC expects all staff, including managers, to receive annual training appropriate to their level.

Training should cover:

The definition of safeguarding and the principles
Types of abuse and signs of abuse
Legal responsibilities (Care Act 2014, Regulation 13)
Internal procedures for reporting concerns
How to report to external agencies
Responding to disclosures
Recording and confidentiality
Specific issues relevant to your service (e.g. domestic abuse for domiciliary care services, restrictive practices for learning disability services)

Making Safeguarding Personal

Making Safeguarding Personal

Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) is an approach to safeguarding that places the individual at the centre of the process. Rather than imposing a solution, the approach involves the person in planning how to address the safeguarding concern and respects their choices about how risks are managed.

This approach aligns with the principle of empowerment and recognises that people have the right to make decisions about their own lives, including decisions that involve some element of risk.

In practice, this means:

Involve the person in discussions about what has happened and what they want to happen next
Respect their choices about how to proceed, even if those choices involve continuing contact with a person they have had concerns about (provided they have capacity and are not at serious risk)
Support them to report to police if they wish to do so, but do not force them
Work at their pace and in a way that suits their communication needs
Record their wishes and the reasoning behind decisions
Review regularly to ensure the safeguarding plan remains appropriate to their changing circumstances

Multi-Agency Working and Safeguarding Adults Boards

Safeguarding is not a responsibility that rests with individual providers. It requires coordinated action across multiple agencies including social care, health, police, and others.

Safeguarding Adults Boards

Every local authority has a Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) made up of representatives from the local authority, health services, police, and key service providers. The SAB coordinates safeguarding across the local area, develops strategy, and conducts reviews when serious harm has occurred.

As a care provider, you may be asked to attend Safeguarding Adults Board meetings or contribute to Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs). Participation in these forums is both a requirement and an opportunity to contribute to improving safeguarding practice across your local area.

Information Sharing

Safeguarding concerns often require sharing information across organisations. Whilst confidentiality is important, it must not prevent appropriate sharing of information to protect adults from harm. Information can be shared for safeguarding purposes without consent if the person is at significant risk and disclosure is necessary to protect them.

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How Care Sync Experts Can Help

Care Sync Experts specialises in supporting care providers to develop and implement strong safeguarding practices and to meet CQC expectations. Our services include:

Safeguarding policy development

Comprehensive policy templates aligned to legal requirements and CQC expectations

Staff safeguarding training

Bespoke training for all staff levels, from induction through to manager and safeguarding lead training

Mock inspections

Full or focused mock inspections that test your safeguarding practice and readiness

CQC compliance support

Guidance on Regulation 13 compliance, notification requirements, and CQC procedures

Safeguarding Adults Board representation

Capacity assessment forms, best interests decision records, and consent documentation

Contact Care Sync Experts today.

If you need support developing safeguarding systems, training staff, or preparing for CQC inspection, contact Care Sync Experts today. Our team has extensive experience supporting care providers to build strong safeguarding cultures and to meet CQC expectations.

Call 0333 577 0877 hello@caresyncexperts.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

The six safeguarding principles are: Empowerment (people make informed decisions), Prevention (preventing harm rather than responding to it), Proportionality (responses match the level of risk), Protection (protecting people from abuse and neglect), Partnership (coordinated action across agencies), and Accountability (transparency about safeguarding actions). These principles guide all safeguarding decision-making under the Care Act 2014.

Safeguarding adults is the process of protecting adults who have care and support needs from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harm. Under the Care Act 2014, safeguarding is about protecting a person's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. For care providers, it involves creating systems to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, training staff, and working with multi-agency partners to protect vulnerable adults.

Whilst the Care Act 2014 emphasises the Four Rs (Recognise, Respond, Report, Record), some frameworks include additional elements. The process typically involves: Recognising signs of abuse or neglect, Responding appropriately to protect the person, Reporting to relevant agencies, Recording the concern and actions taken, and Reviewing to prevent recurrence. Some frameworks add a fifth R for Reflection.

The Five Ps of safeguarding vary by context, but commonly refer to: Prevention (stopping abuse before it happens), Pursuit (investigating and prosecuting), Protection (keeping people safe), Partnership (working across agencies), and People (focusing on individual needs). In some frameworks, the Ps are Protection, Prevention, Proportionality, Partnership, and Principles. These align with the Care Act 2014 principles.

Care providers must recognise ten types of abuse: Physical abuse (violence or force), Sexual abuse (non-consensual sexual activity), Emotional or psychological abuse (threats, humiliation), Financial or material abuse (theft, fraud), Neglect (failure to meet basic needs), Organisational abuse (harmful systems or policies), Discriminatory abuse (unfair treatment based on protected characteristics), Self-neglect (person failing to care for themselves), Modern slavery (exploitation, trafficking), and Domestic abuse (abuse from family members or partners).

Everyone has a responsibility for safeguarding. Local authorities have the lead responsibility under the Care Act 2014, including a duty to make enquiries (Section 42 enquiries) when abuse or neglect is suspected. Care providers have a legal duty to protect people from abuse and to report concerns. Health services, police, and other agencies must work in partnership. Most importantly, it is the responsibility of society to create a culture where abuse is not tolerated and where vulnerable adults are protected.

Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 places a duty on local authorities to make enquiries if they have reasonable cause to suspect that an adult is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves. When a care provider reports a concern, the local authority safeguarding team investigates, gathers evidence, interviews relevant people, and determines what action is needed to keep the person safe. Care providers must cooperate fully with these enquiries.

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Tier 2: Compliance and Standards

Safeguarding Adults: A Complete Guide for Care Providers

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What Is Safeguarding Adults?

Care Act 2014 Section 42

The Six Safeguarding Principles

Empowerment

People are presumed to be able to make decisions and give informed consent about their care and support, including about safeguarding concerns affecting them.

Safeguarding work must not impose solutions; it must support people to make choices about how their risks are managed.

IN PRACTICE, this means involving people in safeguarding processes, listening to what they say they want, and only limiting their autonomy when necessary to prevent serious harm.

Prevention

It is better to prevent harm than to respond to it after it has occurred.

Providers must take proactive steps to identify risks, minimise opportunities for abuse, and create a culture where abuse is less likely to happen.

IN PRACTICE, this includes rigorous recruitment and vetting of staff, comprehensive training, clear reporting procedures, and regular risk assessments.

Proportionality

Any response to a safeguarding concern must be proportionate to the level of risk and the person's wishes and circumstances.

A low-level concern should not trigger a full criminal investigation; a serious concern should not be minimised.

IN PRACTICE, this means using professional judgement to decide what action is appropriate, from supportive conversations through to referral to the police or CQC.

Protection

The primary goal of safeguarding is to protect people from abuse and neglect.

Whilst empowerment and person-centred approaches are important, they cannot be used as an excuse to leave someone in danger.

IN PRACTICE, this means acting decisively when someone is at serious risk, supporting people to access help, and working with multi-agency partners to safeguard those who cannot protect themselves.

Partnership

Safeguarding is not the responsibility of one organisation. It requires coordinated action across health, social care, police, and other agencies.

Care providers must work effectively with local authority safeguarding teams, the police, health services, and the CQC.

IN PRACTICE, this means attending safeguarding meetings, sharing information appropriately, and contributing to multi-agency investigations and reviews.

Accountability

All organisations and individuals have a responsibility to be transparent about their safeguarding actions and decisions.

Accountability is both internal (to your organisation, people using services, and their families) and external (to the local authority, CQC, and ultimately the public).

IN PRACTICE, this means maintaining clear records of safeguarding concerns, documenting your decision-making, and being able to evidence how you have applied the safeguarding principles.

Types of Abuse and Neglect

Physical Abuse

SIGNS

Unexplained bruises, fractures, burns, or other injuries; fear when certain people are present; defensive behaviour; torn clothing

CARE Provider Responsibility

Investigate any injuries, differentiate between accidents and abuse, document findings, and report concerns to the local authority

Sexual Abuse

SIGNS

Inappropriate sexual behaviour; fear of specific people; changes in mood or behaviour; physical injuries; sexually transmitted infections; pregnancy in a person with severe learning disability

CARE Provider Responsibility

Create environments where sexual abuse is less likely; ensure staff are trained in recognising signs; never dismiss concerns; report to police and local authority immediately

Financial or Material Abuse

SIGNS

CARE Provider Responsibility

Implement financial safeguards; supervise staff access to people's money; encourage people to understand and control their finances; investigate suspicious activity

Neglect

SIGNS

Poor hygiene or clothing; untreated medical conditions; malnutrition; poor living conditions; lack of heat or light; emotional withdrawal

CARE Provider Responsibility

Ensure staffing levels are adequate; provide training on individual needs; implement care plans and review them regularly; escalate concerns about resource shortages

Organisational Abuse

SIGNS

Rules applied rigidly without individual consideration; complaints not being acted upon; repeated failures in care; evidence of systemic neglect

CARE Provider Responsibility

Regularly review policies and practices; create a culture where concerns are welcomed; respond to feedback; ensure governance is robust

Discriminatory Abuse

SIGNS

Evidence of unfair treatment; exclusion from activities; comments about a person's identity; assumptions about capabilities based on protected characteristics

CARE Provider Responsibility

Implement equality and diversity policies; train staff; challenge discriminatory attitudes; ensure services are accessible to all

Self-Neglect

SIGNS

Poor living conditions; inadequate personal hygiene; untreated medical conditions; hoarding; inadequate nutrition

CARE Provider Responsibility

Assess capacity; involve people in planning; respect autonomy where possible; escalate concerns to local authority if person is at serious risk and unable to protect themselves

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Modern slavery includes forced labour, domestic servitude, and human trafficking. It can occur in care settings where vulnerable people are exploited by those in positions of power.

SIGNS

Isolation; lack of freedom of movement; fear; signs of physical abuse; exploitation through work or services; debts or financial control

CARE Provider Responsibility

Train staff to recognise signs; report concerns to the National Human Trafficking Centre; work with police and local authority

Domestic Abuse

SIGNS

Injuries; controlling behaviour by family members; isolation from friends and services; fear during visits; sudden changes in mood or behaviour

CARE Provider Responsibility

Train staff to recognise domestic abuse; provide safe spaces to disclose; report to police and local authority; work with domestic abuse services

Care Sector Glossary

New to the care sector? Our comprehensive glossary explains over 200 terms, acronyms, and regulatory phrases used across adult social care in the UK.

Browse the care sector glossary

Who Is at Risk?

This definition is broad and includes people with:

Physical disabilities

Learning disabilities

Mental health conditions

Dementia or cognitive impairment

Sensory impairments

Substance misuse issues

Frailty associated with age

A combination of conditions

The Safeguarding Process: The Four Rs

When a concern arises, the safeguarding process follows a sequence often remembered as the Four Rs: Recognise, Respond, Report, and Record.

1
Recognise
Staff must be trained and alert to recognise signs of abuse or neglect. This requires knowledge of the types of abuse, awareness of risk factors specific to your service user group, and attention to changes in a person's behaviour, health, or physical condition.
IN PRACTICE, Train all staff annually on safeguarding; use supervision and team meetings to discuss concerns; create a culture where staff feel empowered to raise concerns
2
Respond
The initial response is crucial. When a concern is identified or disclosed, the staff member must respond with compassion and without judgment. The goal is to keep the person safe immediately whilst gathering basic information.
IN PRACTICE, Listen carefully to what the person is saying; reassure them they have done the right thing by reporting; keep them safe; do not promise confidentiality if the concern relates to abuse; make basic enquiries to understand the situation
3
Report
The concern must be reported to your manager and, in most cases, to the local authority safeguarding team. Some concerns must also be reported to the police or the CQC. Do not delay reporting because you are unsure whether the concern is serious; it is better to report and let the professionals investigate.
IN PRACTICE, Report concerns to management immediately; report to the local authority within one working day of becoming aware of the concern; report to police if a crime has been committed or if there is immediate danger; notify CQC if required
4
Record
Keep clear, contemporaneous records of what was observed, reported, and action taken. Documentation is evidence that you have taken safeguarding concerns seriously and have followed proper procedures. It is also essential if there is a subsequent investigation or CQC inspection.
IN PRACTICE, Record facts, not assumptions; include quotes from people involved; document the timeline; record decisions and reasons; keep records secure and confidential; retain records for the appropriate length of time

Section 42 Enquiries

Implications for Care Providers

Cooperate fully with the enquiry
Provide clear, timely documentation
Maintain contact with the safeguarding team
Implement any action required to protect the person
Review your policies and practices to prevent recurrence

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Knowing who to report to and how to report is crucial. Safeguarding concerns must be reported to multiple agencies depending on the nature and severity of the concern.

Local Authority Safeguarding Team

Check your local authority's website for the safeguarding team contact details and referral process
Be prepared to provide the person's name, the nature of the concern, and basic information about what has occurred
Expect to be asked to provide a written report within a specified timeframe

Police

Call 999 if there is immediate danger
Call 101 to report crimes that are not immediate emergencies
Provide a clear account of what has occurred and why you believe it constitutes a crime

CQC Notifications

Notify the CQC within one working day of becoming aware of the incident
Provide details of what has occurred and what action is being taken
Use the CQC's secure notification portal

Other Agencies

Depending on the concern, you may also need to report to other agencies involved in the person’s care and support.

Work with relevant health and social care professionals
Share information lawfully and proportionately
Record every referral and action taken

CQC and Safeguarding

Regulation 13 covers not just safeguarding systems and processes but also the culture of the organisation. CQC inspectors will assess whether:

The service has systems to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns
Staff are trained in recognising abuse and reporting procedures
People using services feel safe
Concerns have been acted upon appropriately
Actions have been taken to prevent recurrence
Governance arrangements ensure safeguarding is taken seriously

What CQC Inspectors Look For

During inspection, inspectors will:

Speak with people using services about whether they feel safe and what they would do if they had a concern
Review safeguarding records and policies
Examine evidence that concerns have been properly reported and investigated
Check CQC notifications to see if required notifications have been made
Assess whether action has been taken following identified concerns

Evidence Requirements

To demonstrate strong safeguarding practice during inspection, you will need to evidence:

Safeguarding policy and procedures that are accessible and understood by staff
Staff training records showing all staff have received safeguarding training at least annually
Recruitment records showing appropriate vetting and references
Supervision records that include discussion of safeguarding
Records of safeguarding concerns that have been raised internally
Evidence of reporting to local authorities and police where appropriate
Evidence of CQC notifications
Records of action taken to address identified concerns
Feedback from people using services demonstrating they feel safe

Compliance Auditing and Quality Assurance

Already registered but want to stay ahead of CQC? Our compliance auditing service provides mock inspections, evidence reviews, and ongoing quality assurance to keep your rating on track.

Read the compliance auditing guide

Safeguarding Policies and Training

What Your Safeguarding Policy Should Include

Your safeguarding policy should include:

Definition of safeguarding and the six principles
Types of abuse and signs that might indicate abuse
Roles and responsibilities of different staff members
Procedures for identifying and reporting concerns
Contact details for local authority, police, and other agencies
Recording procedures
What to do if concerns are raised about staff members
Support for those affected by safeguarding concerns
How the organisation will learn from safeguarding concerns

Training Requirements

Training should cover:

The definition of safeguarding and the principles
Types of abuse and signs of abuse
Legal responsibilities (Care Act 2014, Regulation 13)
Internal procedures for reporting concerns
How to report to external agencies
Responding to disclosures
Recording and confidentiality
Specific issues relevant to your service (e.g. domestic abuse for domiciliary care services, restrictive practices for learning disability services)

Making Safeguarding Personal

This approach aligns with the principle of empowerment and recognises that people have the right to make decisions about their own lives, including decisions that involve some element of risk.

In practice, this means:

Involve the person in discussions about what has happened and what they want to happen next
Respect their choices about how to proceed, even if those choices involve continuing contact with a person they have had concerns about (provided they have capacity and are not at serious risk)
Support them to report to police if they wish to do so, but do not force them
Work at their pace and in a way that suits their communication needs
Record their wishes and the reasoning behind decisions
Review regularly to ensure the safeguarding plan remains appropriate to their changing circumstances

Multi-Agency Working and Safeguarding Adults Boards

Safeguarding is not a responsibility that rests with individual providers. It requires coordinated action across multiple agencies including social care, health, police, and others.

Safeguarding Adults Boards

Information Sharing

Free Resources Hub

Access free CQC checklists, templates, and guides to help with registration, inspection preparation, and ongoing compliance.

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How Care Sync Experts Can Help

Care Sync Experts specialises in supporting care providers to develop and implement strong safeguarding practices and to meet CQC expectations. Our services include:

Safeguarding policy development

Comprehensive policy templates aligned to legal requirements and CQC expectations

Staff safeguarding training

Bespoke training for all staff levels, from induction through to manager and safeguarding lead training

Mock inspections

Full or focused mock inspections that test your safeguarding practice and readiness

CQC compliance support

Guidance on Regulation 13 compliance, notification requirements, and CQC procedures

Safeguarding Adults Board representation

Capacity assessment forms, best interests decision records, and consent documentation

Contact Care Sync Experts today.

Call 0333 577 0877 hello@caresyncexperts.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

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FAQ

Safeguarding Adults: A Complete Guide for Care Providers

What Is Safeguarding Adults?

The Six Safeguarding Principles

Empowerment

Prevention

Proportionality

Protection

Partnership

Accountability

Types of Abuse and Neglect

Physical Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Financial or Material Abuse

Neglect

Organisational Abuse

Discriminatory Abuse

Self-Neglect

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Domestic Abuse

Care Sector Glossary

Who Is at Risk?

The Safeguarding Process: The Four Rs

Recognise

Respond

Report

Record

Section 42 Enquiries

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Local Authority Safeguarding Team

Police

CQC Notifications

Other Agencies

CQC and Safeguarding

What CQC Inspectors Look For

Evidence Requirements

Compliance Auditing and Quality Assurance

What Your Safeguarding Policy Should Include

Training Requirements

Making Safeguarding Personal

Making Safeguarding Personal

In practice, this means:

Safeguarding Adults Boards

Information Sharing

Free Resources Hub

Safeguarding Adults Board representation

Contact Care Sync Experts today.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions?