Safeguarding

Recognise, Respond, Protect

Safeguarding means protecting a person's health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. Learn how one can recognize, prevent, and respond to safeguarding concerns. Recognise the signs, take safe action, and access support.

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People need Safeguarding

Children

Children and young people (anyone under 18). Children living in difficult circumstances or facing various threats.

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Adults at risk

Adults at risk and vulnerable adults; people who have learning disabilities or autism, misuse alcohol or drugs, have a mental health problem or cognitive impairment, lack the mental capacity to protect themselves or make safe decisions.

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Elderly adults

Elderly people in dependent settings: care homes, hospitals, prisons, schools, supported housing.

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Anyone at risk

Anyone experiencing coercion, exploitation, trafficking, modern slavery, forced marriage, FGM, socially isolated, homeless, or have language/communication barriers.

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Types of Abuse

Physical abuse

Physical harm to an individual's body from, for example, hitting, restrictive practices and medication

Signs | Indicators

Bruises, cuts, burns, fractures
Fearfulness around certain individuals
Flinching when touched
Withdrawal from social activities

Domestic abuse

Threats, violence and abuse between individuals that are family members or in an intimate relationship.

Signs | Indicators

Unexplained injuries
Changes in behaviour
Fearfulness around certain individuals
Withdrawal from social activities

Sexual abuse

Sexual relationships or activities that an individual does not or cannot consent to.

Signs | Indicators

Pain or bruising around the inner thigh, anal or breast areas.
Pain/discomfort when walking or sitting.
Bloodstained underwear.
Unexplained STIs/pregnancy

Emotional/psychological abuse

Threats, humiliation, controlling behaviour, blaming, verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation.

Signs | Indicators

Low self-worth
Changes in mood or behaviour
Withdrawal from social activities
Fearfulness around certain individuals

Financial/material abuse

Use of an individual's money or possessions without permission. Includes theft, fraud, scamming, coercion, self-serving involvement in an individual's financial affairs.

Signs | Indicators

Unpaid bills
Lack of money for basic necessities
Missing possessions or monies
Poor living conditions

Modern slavery

Individuals being forced into a life of slavery, human trafficking, domestic servitude or forced labour.

Signs | Indicators

Signs of physical or emotional abuse
Malnutrition or dehydration
Poor living conditions
Few or no personal possessions

Discriminatory abuse

Individuals being treated differently due to personal traits such as age, gender, race, sexual orientation etc.

Signs | Indicators

Unequal treatment
Use of derogatory language
Social isolation
Harassment or bullying

Institutional/organisational abuse

When an organisation's needs are put above an individual's needs e.g. telling an individual that they have to go to bed at a certain time

Signs | Indicators

Inflexibility
Poor staff knowledge and training
Non person-centred approaches
Poor standards

Neglect by others

People responsible for an individual not seeing to their basic needs such as nutrition or hygiene either deliberately or inadvertently.

Signs | Indicators

Malnutrition
Dehydration
Dirty clothes/bedding
Poor hygiene
Taking medication incorrectly
Bedsores

Action Steps

Useful resources

NSPCC

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

Age UK

Support for older people

Safeguarding Adults

Information and resources for adult safeguarding

Childline

Free confidential helpline for children and young people