Gathering Information to Make a Report
Anyone, including the public, may report actual, alleged or suspected abuse or neglect directly to social services by phone, e-mail or in writing.
All safeguarding reports must be made by practitioners to social services and police when it is suspected that a crime has been committed as soon as possible, and within 24 hours of a concern being identified.
Where a report is made by telephone to the local authority, the person making the report should confirm the report in writing within 24 hours.
Practitioners should use the referral forms provided by the local authority.
Where there are no immediate safety issues, a report to social services should include the information available about the adult at risk and their circumstances, taking into account the role of the individual and their agency.
Information to include in a report (referral)
Whilst it is important to provide the information in the table below, if immediate action is required to protect the adult at risk, this should take precedence over gathering information.
The information required should be proportionate and include:
- Basic information about the adult at risk and their family;
- Details about the cause for concern regarding risk of abuse and any plans in place providing immediate protection;
- Relevant, proportionate information held by the agency that provides insight into the adult at risk, their family/carers and environment.
Basic information
- Full name, any aliases, date of birth; address, any known previous addresses;
- Names, date of birth and information about all household members, including any individuals who may be at risk in the family, and significant people who live outside the household;
- Ethnicity, first language and religion;
- Any known need for an interpreter, signer or other communication aid;
- Any known additional needs;
- Knowledge of attendance day centre, hospital appointments etc.
- Agencies currently involved with the individual, family and carers known to the referrer;
- Whether consent has been obtained for the referral;
- Consideration and presumption of Mental Capcity;
- Wishes and desired outcomes of the adult at risk.
Cause for concern
- Details of the suspected abuse or neglect;
- Reasons to believe this is an adult at risk;
- Detailed description of any injuries sustained and any allegations, their sources, timing and location;
- Whether the adult at risk is currently safe or is in need of immediate protection and actions to protect taken so far;
- The identity and current whereabouts of the suspected/alleged perpetrator;
- The adult at risk current location if at risk of immediate harm;
- Impact of incident and emotional and physical condition;
- Risk of any repeated incidents to service user and/or others;
- Any information that may affect the safety of staff.
Information held
- Health and wellbeing of the individual;
- Carer/s ability to meet the needs of adult at risk if dependent on carers;
- Significant/important recent or historical events/incidents;
- The report-maker's relationship and knowledge of the adult at risk and their carers; support networks;
- Known current or previous involvement of other agencies/professionals.
Whilst the above provides details of the information that should be gathered it is recognised that not all practitioners will have this detail. Lack of detail should not prevent reporting a safeguarding concern.
Remember a failure to share information can place an adult at risk of abuse and neglect and is a common feature of adult practice reviews. Whilst information in isolation may seem insignificant, put together with information from other sources it may become significant to safeguarding the adult at risk.