Safeguarding
Safeguarding protects an adult's right to live safely, free from abuse and neglect. You do not need proof before sharing a concern.
Last updated: 23 July 2026
Report an urgent concern
- Immediate danger or a crime in progress: call 999.
- Concern about an adult with care and support needs: contact the adult safeguarding team at the local council where the person is currently located.
- Tell SLS: email safeguarding@sls.org.uk or tell a member of staff.
Do not use the general contact form or Alfred AI for an urgent safeguarding concern.
Who adult safeguarding applies to
Under the Care Act statutory guidance, adult safeguarding duties apply where a person aged 18 or over:
- has needs for care and support, whether or not those needs are currently being met;
- is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
- because of those needs, is unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding should involve the adult, take account of their wishes and wellbeing, and use the least restrictive proportionate response.
What abuse and neglect can include
Concerns may involve one incident, repeated incidents, deliberate harm or poor practice. The Care Act guidance includes:
- physical abuse;
- domestic abuse;
- sexual abuse;
- psychological abuse;
- financial or material abuse;
- modern slavery;
- discriminatory abuse;
- organisational abuse;
- neglect and acts of omission;
- self-neglect.
Exploitation may also include cuckooing, where someone takes over another person's home to carry out criminal activity. Read our cuckooing guidance.
What happens when you tell SLS
- We record the concern and consider any immediate action needed to reduce risk.
- We listen to the adult and take account of their wishes, safety, capacity and communication needs.
- We share relevant information with the local authority, police, CQC or another responsible body when required or proportionate.
- We keep information restricted to people who need it. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where sharing is needed to protect someone or meet a legal duty.
Staff responsibilities
Staff are expected to follow the current safeguarding policy, complete role-appropriate learning and report concerns without delay. Training records, refresher dates and service-level safeguarding leads are operational evidence and should be checked internally rather than assumed from this public page.
Other ways to share information
- Contact the relevant local council adult safeguarding team directly.
- Report a non-emergency crime to the police on 101.
- Share information about the quality or safety of a regulated care service with CQC.
- Workers raising wrongdoing in the public interest can use the whistleblowing route.