Did you know? How to report concerns about someone safety or wellbeing
Arun District Council is committed to protecting and safeguarding adults (with care and support needs) and children regardless of role and we'd like to think our residents feel the same way.
An adult with care and support needs may be:
- an older person
- a person with a physical disability, a learning difficulty or a sensory impairment
- someone with mental health needs, including dementia
- a person with a long-term health condition
Under the Care Act 2014, specific adult safeguarding duties apply to any adult (18 years or over) who:
- has care and support needs
- is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
- is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs
If you think you need to raise a concern regarding an adult, please call West Sussex Adult Social Care on 01243 64 21 21.
For a concern regarding a child, call 01403 229 900.
If there is reason to believe a crime has been committed the police should be notified immediately. For children, the incident referred to West Sussex County Council's (WSCC) children social care. The matter should only be referred to WSCC adult social care, if the adult has care and support needs.
Safeguarding is keeping people safe from harm and abuse. Abuse can include:
- Physical / Psychological or emotional / Discriminatory / Domestic violence
- Financial / Organisational / Sexual / Modern slavery
- Neglect / Self-neglect
Children and adults are more likely to disclose details of abuse to someone they trust and with whom they feel safe. By listening and taking what the person is saying seriously, you are already helping the situation. If you have a concern because of a disclosure remember:
- if you are concerned there is a good reason for it
- stay calm and be sensitive - observe and listen
- do not investigate but take details of the key facts (names, times, places, issues, what was said)
- be transparent and seek to gain consent (where it is safe to do so and not placing the child or adult at further risk) and inform them of the need to share with the right agencies
An adult can decline consent, but a wellbeing consideration can outweigh this. Children do not need to consent if under the age of 18.
Further details can be found here:
Safeguarding children and adults | Arun District Council