Contents
- What is abuse?
- Raise a concern as a member of the public
- Make a referral as a practitioner
- Allegations against people who work with adults with care and support needs
- Provide feedback on a care provider
- Find out about the Safeguarding Adults Board for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Policies and Procedures
- The Council of the Isles of Scilly Adult Social Care department
- Different types of abuse, with meanings and examples
- The Caldicott Guardian website
“Everybody has the right to be safe, no matter who they are or their circumstance. They have the right to live their life free from violence, fear and abuse, but not everyone can protect themselves.”
Safeguarding Adults
Abuse of any kind is wrong. You can report abuse, whether it’s happening to you or to someone else, and help to stop it. It’s better to report abuse that you suspect might be happening, than to say nothing, even if it turns out you’re wrong.
What to do if you think there is abuse happening:
- If someone is injured or is in immediate danger, you should call 999
- If you think a crime is being committed, you should call the police on 101
- If the person in danger is a child or young person, you should go to the Child Protection and Safeguarding page here and follow the directions there. Report Child or Your Person - Safeguarding Concern
- If an adult is experiencing abuse or neglect, (that can be you, or someone else), can make an online safeguarding referral, or contact us by phone 0300 1234 131.
Report Adult - Safeguarding Concern
These are the numbers for Cornwall. If you are concerned about abuse on the Isles of Scilly, you need to contact the Council of the Isles of Scilly Adult Social Care department
Visit the Council of the Isles of Scilly Adult Social Care department website
If you are not concerned about abuse or neglect, but want some support, then you can make a referral. This can be for yourself or someone else.
Make a referral through our 'Request help for an adult' page
What is abuse
Abuse and neglect can take many forms. You may not feel sure if someone's behaviour or a situation is abusive or not. Perhaps the adult you're worried about can't tell you what's happening, or how they feel about it.
Use the examples below to help you decide.
Different types of abuse, with meanings and examples:
| Types of abuse | What to watch out for |
| Physical abuse | Hitting, slapping, kicking, being locked in a room or restrained inappropriately |
| Sexual abuse | Forcing someone to take part in a sexual activity which they don't or can't consent to |
| Emotional or psychological abuse | Shouting, teasing, name-calling, bullying, frightening or pressuring someone into decisions; not allowing someone to contact friends or family |
| Financial or materials abuse | Misusing, stealing or taking away someone's money, bank cards or belongings |
| Discriminatory abuse | Treating someone badly, because of their age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or religion and belief |
| Domestic abuse | Using controlling, forcible or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse against a partner, family member or someone in the same household |
| Modern slavery | Bringing people into the UK illegally, not allowing them to leave, or forcing them to work for no or little pay (including as a domestic servant or sex worker) |
| Neglect | Failure to provide care, food, water, washing facilities or other essentials, resulting in physical harm or emotional distress |
| Self-neglect | Situations where someone refuses help with their care needs, hygiene, health or their environment, and this has a significant impact on their overall wellbeing |
When any of these types of abuse or neglect happen because of the actions (or failure to act) of an organisation, we can call this organisational abuse.
You can find out more about abuse, and how to help to stop it:
Easy Read Guide - Say No to Abuse
Read more on our Safeguarding Leaflet
Make a safeguarding referral as a professional
If you are a practitioner and are concerned that an adult is experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect, you must:
- ensure you have taken steps to protect the adult, as far as practicable
- alert your safeguarding team or designated officer of the referral you have made
Make an online safeguarding referral
If you are a practitioner and need advice you can call us on 01872 326433.
If you provide an email address as part of your referral, you will receive a written response.
For information on safeguarding children, see our child protection page.
Concerns about and adult care provider (such as a residential home or domiciliary care agency
The Quality Assurance Team collates feedback about services from a variety of sources. These include providers, social workers and community health teams.
Any compliments or concerns about a care service can be shared with the team using the provider quality feedback form.
Making a safeguarding referral about a person in a position of trust
A Person in Position of Trust (PiPoT) allegation relates to a person who works with adults with care and support needs who has:
- behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed an adult or child
- possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, an adult or child
- behaved towards an adult or child in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to adults with care and support needs
What happens next?
If you filled in the online form, your concern will be initially triaged within two working days.
If you called, your call will be answered by the Contact Centre. You will be put through to the right team. They will give you details for the online reporting portal for safeguarding issues. If you cannot fill out the form yourself, they will ask you questions and fill out form for you.
The information you give us will then be triaged, sorting it by priority and risk, and ensuring it is allocated to the right team. This will happen as quickly as possible, probably on the same working day. That team will then investigate the matter, and ensure that action is taken if necessary.
You may be contacted if you are raising a concern about someone else. If you are raising a concern about yourself, you will be contacted by the triage team. If you have given your email address, you will be notified about what has happened as a result of your action.
How Safeguarding works in Cornwall
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) is responsible for:
- protecting adults from abuse
- reducing the risk of abuse
- and supporting people to stop abuse where it happens
Visit the Cornwall Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board website
Look at Safeguarding Adults Board and Safer Cornwall leaflet
The Safeguarding Adults Board has produced a ‘Safeguarding Thresholds’ animation video. This is a resource to raise awareness of appropriate risk management and escalation pathways. This is for public and professionals.
Watch 'Safeguarding Thresholds' animation Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
Please visit the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) for all of our local safeguarding policies and procedures.
View the Safeguarding policies and procedures
The Caldicott Guardian
Within Cornwall Council, there is a nominated person who is responsible for strategy and governance around safeguarding matters. They cover both vulnerable adults, and children and young people. They are the Caldicott Guardian. You can find out who they are, and their role, on the main safeguarding, page for health and social care.
Read more about the role of the Caldicott Guardian on the Caldicott Guardian website
There is also information for town and parish councils, voluntary and community groups to support them in their safeguarding responsibilities. A safeguarding toolkit can also be found on the main Safeguarding page.