The Care Act 2014 established six key principles that underpin all adult safeguarding work. Tap any principle to expand.
People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and give informed consent. Practitioners should not make decisions for people unless absolutely necessary.
It is better to take action before harm occurs. Prevention involves identifying and addressing risk factors early, providing information and support to reduce the likelihood of harm.
The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented. Any safeguarding intervention should be the minimum necessary. Over-intervention can be as harmful as under-intervention.
Support and representation for those in greatest need. Some people will need more active support and may need others to act on their behalf — particularly those who lack mental capacity.
Local solutions through services working with their communities. Safeguarding is most effective when organisations, communities, and individuals work together and share information responsibly.
Accountability and transparency in safeguarding practice. All organisations and practitioners must be clear about their roles and be willing to account for their actions and decisions.
The seven steps in responding to a safeguarding concern. Steps are not always strictly linear — always follow your organisation's policy and consult your DSL when unsure.
Recognising abuse or neglect requires awareness of the different categories of harm and the ability to notice signs that something may be wrong — from disclosure, your own observations, or patterns over time.
Be alert to physical indicators, behavioural changes, financial irregularities, poor living conditions, or a person appearing fearful or withdrawn.
Physical · Emotional · Sexual · Financial · Neglect · Discriminatory · Organisational · Modern Slavery · Domestic Abuse
How you respond immediately is crucial. Prioritise the person's safety and wellbeing without contaminating potential evidence or making promises you cannot keep.
Call 999 immediately. Do not delay.
Accurate, timely, and objective recording is essential. Records must be factual and detailed, completed as soon as possible. They may be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Once identified and recorded, the concern must be reported to your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Do not delay because you are unsure — the DSL can help you assess.
If you cannot reach your DSL, follow your organisation's escalation procedure. For immediate danger contact police (999) or social care directly.
Where the threshold is met, a referral is made to adult or children's social care. For adults, local authorities have a duty under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 to make enquiries where abuse or neglect is suspected.
Adult with care and support needs · experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect · unable to protect themselves as a result
Throughout the safeguarding process the person at risk needs to know they are not alone. Support means maintaining a trusting relationship and keeping their wishes central to any decision-making.
After a concern has been addressed, review what happened, what worked well, and what could be improved. This ensures ongoing safety and contributes to organisational learning.
Child safeguarding operates under a distinct legal framework from adult safeguarding. A child is anyone under the age of 18. The welfare of the child is always the paramount consideration.
Establishes that the welfare of the child is paramount. Introduces the concept of "significant harm" as the threshold for compulsory intervention, and the duty on local authorities to investigate under Section 47.
Introduced the duty to cooperate to improve the wellbeing of children, and established Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships. Underpins the "Every Child Matters" framework.
Statutory guidance setting out how organisations and agencies must work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. All organisations working with children must have regard to this guidance.
Children may not always be able to articulate what is happening to them. Look for changes in behaviour or presentation as well as physical signs.
You do not need to be certain abuse is occurring. A reasonable concern is enough to act. When in doubt, always consult the DSL.
Not all concerns about children require a Child Protection referral. Understanding the threshold helps ensure the right response.
A child who is unlikely to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development without support, or whose health or development is likely to be significantly impaired. Support from children's services is provided but is not compulsory.
Where there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. This triggers a duty for the local authority to make enquiries. This is the threshold for Child Protection intervention.
Concern identified — by a volunteer, staff member, or third party. Record and report to the DSL immediately.
DSL assessment — the DSL considers whether the concern meets the threshold for referral to children's social care.
Referral to MASH — the DSL refers to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). In Lincolnshire: 01522 782111.
Section 47 Enquiry — if significant harm is suspected, children's social care leads an enquiry, involving police and other agencies as needed.
Child Protection Conference — if the enquiry confirms concern, a conference is held with all involved professionals and family members to decide on a Child Protection Plan.
Child Protection Plan — a formal plan setting out what needs to happen to keep the child safe. ChEF may be asked to contribute to or implement elements of this plan.
Review — the plan is reviewed regularly. ChEF must attend any relevant review meetings and share updated information.
CSE is a form of child sexual abuse where a child is manipulated or coerced into sexual activity in exchange for something — gifts, affection, money, or status. The child may not recognise they are being abused.
A child cannot consent to their own sexual exploitation. Never assume a young person is making a "lifestyle choice" — they are being abused.
The Prevent duty requires specified organisations to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. As a charity working with vulnerable people, ChEF should be alert to signs of radicalisation in both children and adults.
Channel is a voluntary, confidential programme that provides support to people identified as vulnerable to radicalisation. Referrals are made via the police or local authority. Speak to the DSL if you have a concern.
FGM is illegal in the UK and is a form of child abuse. It involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is practised in some communities as a cultural or traditional rite.
Since October 2015, regulated professionals must personally report to the police if they discover that FGM has been carried out on a girl under 18. This duty cannot be passed to the DSL — you must make the report yourself.
ChEF's food provision work brings us into regular contact with families and children who may be experiencing significant hardship. This context creates both an opportunity and a responsibility.
Practical checklists to use at each stage of the safeguarding process. Tick each item as you complete it.
Safeguarding means protecting people's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. At ChEF we work with both adults and children, and our safeguarding responsibilities cover both groups under distinct but complementary legal frameworks.
Places a duty on local authorities to make enquiries where an adult with care and support needs is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect.
Places a duty on local authorities and partner agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) sets out how organisations must cooperate.
Since 2015, all regulated professionals must report known cases of FGM in girls under 18 directly to the police. This duty cannot be delegated to the DSL.
GDPR does not prevent the sharing of information for safeguarding purposes. The safety and wellbeing of the individual can override the usual duty of confidentiality.
Failing to share information that could protect someone from harm is just as serious as sharing information inappropriately.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 applies to all safeguarding decisions. Everyone is assumed to have capacity unless assessed otherwise. A person may have capacity to make some decisions but not others.
If a concern is raised about the conduct of a member of staff or volunteer, this must be handled carefully and separately from other safeguarding concerns.
Do not investigate the allegation yourself — refer immediately to the DSL or line manager.
The DSL will refer to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for allegations against those working with vulnerable adults.
Keep the matter strictly confidential — do not discuss with colleagues.
Ensure the person who raised the concern is supported throughout the process.
Police / Ambulance / Fire: 999
Non-emergency police: 101
Adults Care: 01522 782155
Out of hours: 01522 782333
MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub): 01522 782111
Out of hours Emergency Duty Team: 01522 782333
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Fraser Duncan · 07429 345686
Deputy DSL: [Deputy Name & Contact]
A plain-language summary for volunteers. You don't need to be an expert — you just need to know what to look out for, and who to tell.
As a ChEF volunteer, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. You are not expected to investigate concerns or make formal decisions — but you are expected to be aware, to listen, and to pass on any worries to the right person.
If something doesn't feel right — say something. It is always better to raise a concern that turns out to be nothing than to stay silent about something serious.
You don't need to be certain that abuse is happening. A feeling that something isn't right is enough to act on. Look out for:
Children may not be able to tell you what is happening. Watch for changes as well as obvious signs:
If a child says something that worries you — however small it seems — take it seriously, stay calm, and tell the DSL.
Stay calm and listen. Let the person speak without interrupting.
Do not promise to keep it secret. Say: "I'm glad you told me. I may need to share this with someone who can help, but I will be careful about who I tell."
Do not ask lots of questions. Just listen and let them tell you what they want to share.
Tell the DSL straight away — Fraser Duncan on 07429 345686. Don't wait.
Write down what was said as soon as possible, using the person's own words.
Do not try to investigate yourself, and do not discuss the concern with other volunteers. Pass it on and let the DSL take it from there.
People sometimes ask you to keep what they say a secret before they share it. It is important that you are honest with them.
"I can't promise to keep everything secret, because if I'm worried about your safety I would need to tell someone who can help. But I will only share what I need to, with the right people."
Safeguarding work can sometimes be emotionally difficult. It is normal to feel upset, worried, or unsettled after dealing with a concern. Please look after yourself.
Plain-language definitions of key safeguarding terms and acronyms. Tap any term to expand.
The primary legislation governing adult social care and safeguarding in England. It places a duty on local authorities to promote wellbeing, prevent need, and make safeguarding enquiries where an adult with care and support needs is at risk of abuse or neglect. The six principles of safeguarding are rooted in this Act.
The named person within an organisation who has lead responsibility for safeguarding. The DSL provides advice and support, liaises with statutory agencies, and ensures concerns are dealt with appropriately. At ChEF, the DSL is Fraser Duncan (07429 345686).
The data protection law that governs how personal information is collected, stored, and shared. In safeguarding, GDPR does not prevent the sharing of information where there is a genuine risk of harm. The key principle is to share the minimum necessary information with the right people for a legitimate purpose.
A trained advocate appointed to support people who lack mental capacity to make certain decisions and have no family or friends to consult. IMCAs represent the person's interests in decisions about serious medical treatment or changes to long-term accommodation, and in some safeguarding situations.
A local authority officer who manages allegations against people who work with children or vulnerable adults in a paid or voluntary capacity. When a concern is raised about a staff member or volunteer's conduct, the DSL must refer this to the LADO, who will advise on next steps and coordinate any investigation.
A sector-led initiative that emphasises involving the person at risk in decisions about their own safeguarding. Rather than doing things to people, MSP encourages practitioners to work with people to find solutions that reflect their wishes and improve their wellbeing. It underpins the empowerment principle of the Care Act 2014.
Legislation that protects and empowers people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions. It establishes that capacity must always be assumed unless assessed otherwise, that people should be supported to make their own decisions, and that any decision made on someone's behalf must be in their best interests and as least restrictive as possible.
A statutory body in each local authority area that brings together representatives from the council, NHS, and police to coordinate and oversee adult safeguarding. The SAB publishes a strategic plan, commissions Safeguarding Adults Reviews, and holds agencies to account for their safeguarding practice.
A review commissioned by a Safeguarding Adults Board when an adult with care and support needs has died or been seriously harmed, and there is concern that agencies could have worked more effectively together. The purpose is learning and improvement, not blame. Organisations are expected to implement the lessons identified.
A formal enquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014, which a local authority must undertake when it reasonably believes an adult with care and support needs is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves. The enquiry establishes the facts and decides what action, if any, is needed to support and protect the adult.
The act of raising a concern about wrongdoing, malpractice, or unsafe practice within an organisation. In safeguarding, this may mean reporting concerns about a colleague's conduct. Whistleblowers are protected by law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. You should never be penalised for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.
Where children are manipulated or coerced into committing crimes, often including drug running (county lines), theft, or other criminal activity. Like CSE, the child may not recognise they are being exploited and may appear to be a willing participant. It is always abuse.
A voluntary, multi-agency programme that provides tailored support to individuals identified as vulnerable to radicalisation. It operates under the Prevent strand of the government's counter-terrorism strategy. Referrals are made via the police or local authority, and participation is voluntary and confidential.
A formal plan put in place by a Child Protection Conference when a child is assessed to be at risk of significant harm. It sets out what actions need to be taken to keep the child safe, who is responsible, and how progress will be reviewed. It is not a court order but agencies involved are expected to implement it.
The foundational legislation for children's safeguarding in England. The 1989 Act established the welfare of the child as the paramount consideration and introduced concepts such as parental responsibility, Section 17 (Child in Need), and Section 47 (child protection enquiries). The 2004 Act introduced the duty to cooperate and strengthened multi-agency working arrangements.
A form of child sexual abuse where a child is manipulated, coerced, or groomed into sexual activity in exchange for something — gifts, affection, money, alcohol, or status. The child may believe they are in a relationship or making their own choices. A child cannot consent to their own exploitation.
The partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is illegal in the UK and is a form of child abuse. Since 2015, regulated professionals have a mandatory legal duty to report known cases in girls under 18 directly to the police — this cannot be delegated to the DSL.
The statutory body in each local area responsible for coordinating and overseeing child safeguarding. In Lincolnshire, the LSCP brings together the local authority, NHS, and police to develop policy, share learning, and hold agencies to account. It replaced the former Local Safeguarding Children Boards following the Children Act 2004 reforms.
The first point of contact for referrals relating to children at risk of harm. The MASH brings together professionals from children's social care, police, health, and education to share information and make coordinated decisions about the level of response needed. In Lincolnshire the MASH number is 01522 782111.
One of the four strands of the government's counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST). The Prevent duty requires specified organisations — including charities working with vulnerable people — to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. Concerns about radicalisation should be referred to the DSL, who may make a Channel referral.
Under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, a child is "in need" if they are unlikely to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development without local authority support, or their health or development is likely to be significantly impaired. A Section 17 referral results in an assessment and may lead to a package of family support — it is not a child protection measure.
Under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989, a local authority must make enquiries when it has reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. A Section 47 enquiry is led by children's social care, usually in partnership with the police, and may result in a Child Protection Conference and Plan.
Statutory guidance issued by the government setting out how organisations and agencies must work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Updated in 2023, it emphasises the importance of early help, multi-agency working, and the child's voice. All organisations working with children must have regard to this guidance.