How to report safeguarding concerns

Reporting safeguarding concerns quickly and in the right way is essential to protect individuals at risk of harm – particularly children and vulnerable adults. Whether you are a professional, volunteer or member of the public, understanding your responsibilities and the appropriate reporting pathways is crucial.

This guide provides a step-by-step approach to recognising, documenting and escalating concerns in the UK.

What is safeguarding, and who does it protect?

Safeguarding is the umbrella term for the measures taken to prevent harm, abuse or neglect of individuals – and to promote their welfare.

In the UK, safeguarding duties are set out in legislation (the Children Act 2004 and the Care Act 2014) and statutory guidance, such as Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance. These frameworks place legal duties on organisations and individuals to report concerns and work collaboratively with statutory agencies.

There are two broad categories of people protected by safeguarding duties:

• Children and young people (anyone under 18 years of age) – those who require protection from abuse, exploitation or neglect that can impair their health or development.
• Vulnerable adults – defined under the Care Act 2014 as adults with care and support needs who are at risk of abuse or neglect and unable to protect themselves.

All organisations that come into contact with these groups – schools, health services, social care providers, charities, faith groups and leisure organisations – must have clear safeguarding policies, trained staff and designated leads to ensure that any concerns are recognised and reported without delay.

Types of abuse and neglect to be aware of

Safeguarding covers many types of abuse and neglect, each with its own indicators:

• Physical abuse – involves deliberate physical harm such as hitting, shaking or burning. Warning signs include unexplained bruises, fractures or a pattern of injuries.
• Emotional abuse – includes persistent shouting, threats, intimidation or humiliation that undermines a person’s self-worth. It may show as low self-esteem, withdrawal or (for children) a fear of adults.
• Sexual abuse – covers any sexual activity without consent or where consent cannot be given. This includes both contact acts (e.g., rape, molestation) and non-contact offences (e.g., exposure, online grooming). Indicators may include sexualised behaviour or knowledge inappropriate for the person’s age.
• Neglect – the ongoing failure to meet basic needs such as nutrition, hygiene, medical care or safety. Signs can include poor personal cleanliness, untreated injuries or signs of chronic hunger and fatigue.
• Financial or material abuse – the misuse or theft of someone’s money, property or belongings. Look for unexplained financial changes, missing possessions or new “helpers” managing finances.
• Modern slavery – includes human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Victims may seem malnourished, anxious or controlled by another person in an unusual way.
• Organisational abuse – occurs when the culture or systems within a care setting lead to neglect, harm or the violation of individual rights. It can stem from poor leadership, inadequate staffing or practices that prioritise efficiency over person-centred care. Examples include lack of privacy, unsafe restraint, over-medication or the denial of choice and autonomy.
• Discriminatory abuse – involves harassment, bullying or unfair treatment based on race, gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation. It can happen in the form of verbal slurs, exclusion or unequal access to care.
• Self-neglect – happens when an adult is unable or unwilling to care for themselves, leading to risk or harm. It may show up as poor hygiene, unsafe living conditions or refusing much-needed care.

Being familiar with the different types of abuse and their potential signs helps you recognise early indicators and take appropriate action before harm escalates.

Recognising when to raise a concern

Knowing when to raise a safeguarding concern depends on noticing changes in a person’s appearance, behaviour or circumstances that suggest they may be at risk. You don’t need to be certain that abuse is occurring or have proof. Reasonable suspicion is enough to raise a concern.

Key indicators include:

• Physical signs – unexplained injuries, bruises, burns or sudden changes in weight
• Behavioural signs – withdrawal, aggression, fear of a particular individual, reluctance to go home or attend activities
• Emotional signs – anxiety, depression, self-harm, excessive clinginess or lack of social engagement
• Environmental signs – poor living conditions, lack of supervision, overcrowding, evidence of substance misuse at home
• Digital or online indicators – unexplained access to inappropriate content, secretive use of technology or contact with unknown adults

When something “doesn’t feel right” – for example, if a child becomes unusually quiet during a particular lesson or an elderly person appears unnaturally anxious when a carer arrives – you should document your observations in an objective, factual way and consider whether they meet the threshold for submission as a safeguarding concern to the relevant authority.

Your legal duty to report safeguarding issues

In the UK, many professionals have a statutory duty to report safeguarding concerns. For children, those working in education, health, social care and related sectors must adhere to the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018). Failure to report a concern can result in disciplinary action and, in extreme cases, prosecution.

For adult safeguarding, the Care Act 2014 places a duty on local authorities to make enquiries if they believe an adult with care and support needs is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect. There is no universal statutory duty on every professional to report adult concerns, but many regulated professions (e.g., social workers, nurses, GPs) have explicit safeguarding responsibilities in their professional codes of practice.

Even if you are not subject to a statutory duty, moral and, in some cases, contractual obligations underpin the expectation that all staff, volunteers and members of the public will report concerns without delay. Organisations must also ensure that their own safeguarding policies reinforce these duties and provide clear escalation pathways.

Who can report a safeguarding concern?

Anyone who has concerns about a child or vulnerable adult can – and should – report them. Common reporters include:

• Professionals – teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, care workers, police officers and housing officers
• Volunteers – youth workers, sports coaches, faith group leaders and befriending volunteers (people who offer companionship and emotional support)
• Members of the public – neighbours, family members, friends or passers-by
• Children and adults themselves – many organisations provide confidential helplines or online forms so that individuals can raise concerns directly

Age, role or professional status should never be a barrier to reporting. If you encounter resistance or uncertainty in your organisation, escalate your concerns to your line manager, safeguarding lead or directly to the local authority.

How to record and document your concerns clearly

Accurate, up-to-date records are vital when reporting safeguarding concerns. Clear documentation ensures that important details are not lost and that decision-makers have a reliable account of events.

Here are some best practices to consider when recording concerns:

1. Use factual, objective language – describe exactly what you observed, what was said and by whom. Avoid speculating or giving your personal opinion.
2. Note time, date and location – be precise; details such as exact dates and times help investigators understand what happened and when.
3. Record direct quotes – if the individual uses particular words (e.g., “she hit me with a stick”), record them word for word in quotation marks.
4. Describe any injuries – use body maps or diagrams if your organisation provides them, noting the size, colour and position of bruises or marks.
5. Identify who you told and when – record the names, roles and contact details of each person you informed, along with the date and time.
6. Keep records secure – store information according to your organisation’s data protection policy, maintaining confidentiality and limiting access to authorised staff.

Many schools and healthcare settings use standard forms (e.g., MARF – multi-agency referral form) to keep information consistent. Make sure you know how to use these templates and complete every section to prevent processing delays.

Reporting safeguarding concerns in schools and early years settings

Educational settings have robust procedures under Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

All staff and volunteers must know:

• Who the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is – the DSL oversees all child-protection matters, provides training and liaises with local agencies.
• How to report – most schools require staff to complete an electronic or paper safeguarding log as soon as concerns arise.
• Escalation protocols – if the DSL is unavailable, concerns should go to the deputy DSL or, if no one within the school can act, directly to the local authority’s children’s services.

Early years providers must notify Ofsted of any allegation of serious harm or abuse and maintain clear records of children’s attendance, injuries and accidents. Regular safeguarding training that takes place at least annually is a statutory requirement for all staff working with children.

Safeguarding in health and social care environments

Health and social care professionals have two key responsibilities – a clinical duty of care and a safeguarding duty. Key elements include:

• Adult safeguarding alerts – if you suspect abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, submit an alert to adult social care or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) in your local authority.
• Children in healthcare settings – medical staff must report concerns to children’s social care when a child’s health or development is at risk.
• Multidisciplinary working – safeguarding often involves GPs, hospital paediatricians, community nurses, social workers and the police. Regular case meetings and clear information-sharing procedures are essential.

Every care provider must have a named safeguarding lead and clear internal procedures – often detailed in their registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – to make sure concerns are escalated without delay.

Contacting the local authority designated officer

The local authority designated officer (LADO) handles allegations against adults who work with children – paid or unpaid – such as teachers, faith leaders, sports coaches and foster carers. The LADO’s role is to:

1. Assess the allegation – determine whether it meets the threshold for significant harm or risk.
2. Advise the employer – guide the organisation through suspension, internal investigation or disciplinary action.
3. Coordinate with other agencies – ensure that children’s services, the police and regulatory bodies share information and agree on next steps.

You should refer concerns involving staff misconduct, harm or grooming behaviours to the LADO within one working day. You can find contact details for your local LADO team on your local authority’s website.

When and how to contact the police or emergency services

If someone is in imminent danger or a crime is in progress, seek help immediately.

• Dial 999 – clearly state your location, the nature of the emergency and any immediate risks.
• Non-emergency – if the situation is serious but not life-threatening, call 101. Pass on all the relevant details and ask for the incident number or a log reference.

Police involvement is appropriate in cases such as forced entry, physical assault, indecent exposure or trafficking – but also in other serious concerns like abuse, exploitation, threats or serious injury. Always follow a 999 call with a written safeguarding report to your organisation’s safeguarding lead.

When and how to make an anonymous report

There are situations where you – or the person at risk – may prefer to remain anonymous when raising a safeguarding concern. Anonymity can help individuals feel safe to report abuse or wrongdoing, particularly where they fear retaliation or personal repercussions.

Common anonymous reporting routes include:

• Crimestoppers – an independent charity offering a completely anonymous hotline (0800 555 111) or online form.
• Local authority anonymous referrals – some councils allow anonymity but may limit follow-up if there isn’t enough information.
• Whistleblowing helplines – many organisations use third-party whistleblowing services that protect the reporter’s identity.

Bear in mind that anonymity can make it harder to investigate if more details or interviews are needed. Whenever possible, encourage named reporting to help ensure a timely response.

What happens after you report a concern?

Once a concern is raised, the receiving agency follows a structured process:

1. Triage – social workers or adult safeguarding leads review the referral against statutory thresholds.
2. Decision – the concern may be closed (no action), referred for early help or passed to a specialist team for statutory assessment.
3. Assessment and planning – for children, a Section 47 enquiry under the Children Act 1989 may be opened. For adults, a Section 42 enquiry under the Care Act 2014 may follow.
4. Strategy meeting – key agencies (social care, the police, the NHS, education) agree safeguarding plans, information-sharing protocols and timescales.
5. Ongoing support – the individual may receive continued safeguarding support through a child protection plan, adult safeguarding plan or family-support services. In some cases, police investigations may run alongside these interventions.

You will usually be informed of the outcome, though full details may be withheld to protect confidentiality.

The role of designated safeguarding leads

Designated safeguarding leads oversee and coordinate all safeguarding activity within their organisation. Their core responsibilities include:

• Implementing policy – keeping safeguarding policies current, compliant with statutory guidance and embedded in everyday practice.
• Providing training and support – delivering regular sessions for staff and volunteers. Training helps staff feel confident when reporting safeguarding concerns and equips them to handle the process correctly.
• Maintaining records – keeping secure, chronological logs of all referrals, actions and communications to support transparency and accountability.
• Liaising with agencies – serving as the main point of contact with children’s social care, adult social care, the police and other safeguarding partners.
• Auditing and reviewing practice – monitoring safeguarding performance through audits, learning reviews and case conferences, and ensuring that lessons lead to measurable improvements.

Confidentiality, data protection and information sharing

Safeguarding sometimes involves difficult decisions about when to share information and when to keep it confidential. The priority is always the person’s safety.

Decisions should be guided by:

• Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR – provide the legal framework for handling personal data. Safeguarding often falls under the “vital interests” and “public task” lawful bases.
• Caldicott Principles – outline best practice for sharing personal health information, emphasising that details should be shared only on a need-to-know basis.
• Information Sharing Guidance – the UK government’s Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners (2018) helps professionals decide when and how to share data.

Always limit the information shared to what is necessary. Obtain consent where appropriate – but never allow data protection concerns to prevent a legitimate safeguarding referral.

Barriers to reporting and how to overcome them

Recognising why safeguarding concerns sometimes go unreported is essential for building a culture of accountability and trust. Here are some of the common reasons for why people might not report concerns:

• Fear of making the wrong decision – staff may worry about overreacting or causing trouble.
• Concerns about confidentiality – some may believe they cannot share information without consent.
• Lack of knowledge or confidence – people might be unsure what signs to look for or how to report them.
• Cultural or organisational norms – a blame culture or lack of management support can discourage reporting.
• Personal relationships – loyalty to a colleague or fear of damaging relationships can override duty of care.

These barriers can be reduced through strong leadership, clear communication and a supportive workplace culture. Staff need reassurance that they are not alone in raising concerns and that acting early helps protect those at risk.

Provide regular training, accessible policies and visible recognition for those who speak up. When reporting is normalised and supported, safeguarding becomes everyone’s shared responsibility.

Whistleblowing procedures and protections

Whistleblowing is a formal route for reporting serious wrongdoing, including safeguarding failures, within an organisation. It ensures transparency and accountability when internal systems break down.

Key protections include:

• Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 – protects whistleblowers from dismissal and disciplinary action.
• Internal policies – most organisations publish whistleblowing procedures explaining how to raise concerns, who to approach and how investigations are carried out.
• External bodies – reports can be escalated to regulators such as Ofsted, the CQC, the Charity Commission or professional bodies if internal routes fail.

Help staff feel confident that raising a concern is the right thing to do. It’s an act of care and professionalism – and it won’t be a risk to them personally or in their work life.

Training and resources for effective safeguarding

Safeguarding works best when everyone knows their role, recognises the signs of harm and feels confident taking action. Ongoing training builds that awareness and confidence. Core training elements include:

• Induction – all new staff should receive basic safeguarding awareness as part of their introduction to the organisation.
• Role-specific training – DSLs, health professionals and social workers need advanced, multi-agency training tailored to their unique responsibilities.
• Refresher courses – annual updates help maintain awareness of legislative changes and emerging risks (e.g., online abuse).
• Scenario exercises – table-top activities and case-study discussions test people’s understanding of policy and decision-making in practice, making sure they are well-prepared to confront these challenges in real life.
• E-learning and webinars – flexible options for busy professionals, ideally supported by face-to-face workshops for deeper engagement.

Resources are widely available from local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs), local safeguarding adults boards (LSABs), the NSPCC Learning portal and statutory guidance documents.

Further support from charities and regulatory bodies

Many charities and regulators offer practical advice, training and support to anyone involved in safeguarding:

• NSPCC – provides helplines, e-learning and guidance on protecting children from harm.
• Barnardo’s – supports frontline practitioners with child protection resources and family support programmes.
• Action for Children – offers advice on early help and practical services for families.
• Victim Support – gives emotional and practical help to anyone affected by crime, including abuse.
• Mind – offers guidance on the mental health impact of abuse and provides support for people experiencing emotional distress.
• Age UK – supports older adults who may be at risk, offering advice, advocacy and practical help for those affected by abuse or neglect.
• Ofsted and the CQC – inspect and regulate schools, early years settings, and health and social care services to make sure safeguarding standards are met.

Knowing where to turn for specialist help strengthens your organisation’s ability to respond quickly and protect those at risk.