Safeguarding Adults

1. Safeguarding Adults under the Care Act

Use the links below to access sections of the Care Act 2014 resource for information about the legal requirements of all safeguarding under the Act.

  1. Aims and Principles of all Adult Safeguarding;
  2. When Safeguarding Duties Apply;
  3. Identifying and Reporting Abuse and Neglect;
  4. The Response to a Concern about Abuse and Neglect.

2. Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Legal Requirements

Click here to access 'Identifying and Reporting Abuse and Neglect', which is part of the larger Care Act 2014 resource.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Adults

Wherever possible a referral should be made using the online Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Referral Form.

Click here to access it.

Alternatively, if you are unable to use this form or the situation is urgent the Adult Safeguarding Team can be contacted directly:

Tel: 01793 463 555
E-mail: adultsafeguarding@swindon.gov.uk

Note: The Adult Safeguarding Team are available Monday-Friday 8.30am – 5pm. Outside of office hours urgent concerns only can be referred through the Emergency Duty Service using 01793 436699.

Children

Wherever possible concerns about a child should be raised using the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Referral Form. This can be down loaded from the Swindon Local Safeguarding Children Board website by clicking here.

Alternatively, if you are unable to use this form or the situation is urgent the MASH can be contacted directly:

Tel: 01793 466903
E-mail: Swindonmash@swindon.gov.uk

Note: The MASH are available Monday-Friday 8.30am – 4.40pm (4pm on a Friday). Outside of office hours urgent concerns only can be referred through the Emergency Duty Service using 01793 436699.

If you are concerned that an adult or child is in imminent danger from abuse or neglect, or that a criminal act has taken place you should contact the police by dialing 999.

3. The Adult Safeguarding Team

The Specialist Adult Safeguarding Team is responsible for carrying out the operational responsibilities and duties of SBC under the Safeguarding sections (primarily S42-46) of the Care Act (2014), SBC Policy and Procedure for the Safeguarding of Adults in Swindon and the Care Act Chapter 14 Guidance.

The team is a central point for advice and support in relation to Adult Safeguarding. The team receives referrals that relate to concerns of abuse and neglect for over 18s and screens these against the following 3 criteria:

  1. The Adult who has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs);
  2. Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
  3. As a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

The Team determine if the Concern needs to progress to a Care Act Section 42 Multi-agency Enquiry and works with other agencies to carry this out.

The Team consists of a Team Manager, Assistant Team Manager, Enquiry Managers (Experienced Social Workers) and Enquiry Officers (Social Workers) and Business support officers (minute takers). The team also receives additional Enquiry Manager and Enquiry Officer support from Adult Services.

The contact details for the Adult Safeguarding Team are:

Tel: 01793 463555
E-mail: adultsafeguarding@swindon.gov.uk

4. Policy and Procedures for Safeguarding Adults in Swindon

This local policy and procedures document should be your primary source of support and practice guidance when working in the safeguarding adult's arena.

Click here to access it.

5. Local Resources

There are also a range of safeguarding resources available in the Local Resource area. These include:

  1. Information and advice resources
  2. Information about staying safe online
  3. Guidance on risk assessment and enablement
  4. Guidance on domestic abuse, self-neglect and hoarding, and slavery and modern trafficking.

Click here to access them.