Safeguarding adults from abuse

Everyone has the right to live a safe, fulfilling and meaningful life, free from abuse, neglect and harm.

At the heart of safeguarding is supporting people to live the lives they want to live. When someone experiences abuse or neglect, it can affect their confidence, independence, wellbeing, relationships and ability to take part in everyday life. Safeguarding is about listening, understanding what matters most to the person and working alongside them to help them stay safe while maintaining choice, control and dignity.

Report a safeguarding concern

Our Safeguarding Practice and Improvement Team works closely with local organisations, communities and partner agencies to help people remain safe, connected and valued members of their communities. Everyone has a role to play in recognising and responding to abuse and neglect, and in preventing it from happening in the first place.

When will we make safeguarding enquiries?

We have a legal duty to make enquiries, or ask others to do so on our behalf, where we believe an adult may be experiencing abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs.

This applies to adults aged 18 and over who:

• have care and support needs, whether or not those needs are being met by the local authority;
• are experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
• are unable to protect themselves from that abuse, neglect or risk because of their care and support needs.

(Care and Support Statutory Guidance, Department of Health, 2014)

How we support people to stay safe

In the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, safeguarding is person-led and outcome-focused. We work with people, not just on their behalf. We will:

• listen to what matters to the person and understand what a good life looks like for them;
• support people to make their own decisions wherever possible and agree the outcomes they want to achieve;
• recognise and build on people's strengths, relationships and community connections;
• work in partnership with families, advocates, communities and professional agencies;
• make sure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in helping people stay safe;
• connect safeguarding with wider care, support and wellbeing services;
• support people to have the same access to community safety, opportunities and ordinary life experiences as everyone else; and
• take action that is proportionate, respecting people's rights, choices and independence while helping them to stay safe.

We believe that people are safer when they are connected to their communities, have strong relationships, are listened to, and have genuine choice and control over their lives.

You can view the Multi-Agency Procedures for Safeguarding across Berkshire.

You can view our Easy Read Safeguarding Leaflet explaining our process.

The six principles of safeguarding

• Empowerment: Start with what matters to the person and the life they want to live.
• Prevention: Prevent harm by building strengths, relationships, and community connections.
• Proportionality: Support safety in ways that protect freedom, choice, and control.
• Protection: Help people stay safe while respecting their dignity and human rights.
• Partnership: Achieve better outcomes through strong partnerships with people, families, and communities.
• Accountability: Ensure decisions are understood, recorded, and open to scrutiny.
   

Who to contact if you suspect abuse

If the adult in question is in immediate danger or in need of medical attention, or there has been a crime committed e.g. rape or an assault, or there is a need to protect forensic evidence, contact the Emergency Services immediately, dial 999.

To make a safeguarding referral about an adult at risk in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, or for advice about an adult who may be being abused, report to Adult Social Care Services at the earliest opportunity using our online Safeguarding Report Form.

If the adult is not in immediate danger, but the abuse is of a criminal nature, call the Thames Valley Police Non-Emergency number on 101.

If children are involved and/or also at risk, contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01628 683150.

If the allegation or suspicion involves either a care home, domiciliary care (home care) agency or NHS hospital trust, contact the Care Quality Commission on 03000 616161.

Victims First has been launched to support victims of crime across the Thames Valley. Victims First can provide free support to any victim of any crime in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire regardless of whether or not the crime has been reported to the police.

Please see the Victims First website which provides more information about the service.

There are ten categories of abuse

Often a person may be subject to more than one type of abuse. Different types of abuse may exhibit different symptoms; indicators may not always be obvious.

• Physical abuse
• Domestic violence or abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Psychological or emotional abuse
• Financial or material abuse
• Modern slavery
• Discriminatory abuse
• Organisational or institutional abuse
• Neglect or acts of omission
• Self-neglect

Reporting non-safeguarding incidents and accidents

If you need to report an incident or accident that is not a safeguarding matter, please submit an incident or accident report.

Safeguarding Adults Board

The Safeguarding Adults Board is led by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council. The Board brings organisations together to prevent abuse and protect adults at risk.