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

Make a safeguarding child referral

Surrey

Brighton and Hove

East Sussex

West Sussex

If you are concerned about a adult

Adults with care and support needs may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect. This may include people who are:

  • living with a disability or long‑term condition
  • frail or needing support to live independently
  • experiencing mental health difficulties
  • homeless or experiencing memory loss
  • using drugs or alcohol
  • unpaid carers who may also be at risk

If you are a provider concerned about the quality of care, please refer to Reporting Care Quality Concerns.

Types of Adult Abuse (Care Act 2014)

  • Physical abuse - hitting, shaking, kicking, inappropriate restraint, locking someone in, or withholding medication.
  • Domestic abuse - controlling, coercive, threatening or violent behaviour between intimate partners or family members (Domestic Abuse Act 2021).
  • Sexual abuse - any sexual activity without consent or where a person lacks the capacity to consent.
  • Psychological abuse - threats, humiliation, bullying, intimidation or controlling behaviour.
  • Financial or material abuse - theft, fraud, exploitation, or misuse of someone’s money, property or assets.
  • Neglect - failing to meet essential care or support needs, including food, medication, heating or personal care.
  • Discriminatory abuse - harassment or ill‑treatment due to age, disability, race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation (Equality Act 2010).
  • Modern slavery - human trafficking, forced labour or exploitation.

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