Report adult abuse

If an adult is in danger first ensure they are safe. If emergency help is needed dial 999. If you suspect criminal abuse is involved contact the Police by dialling 101.

If you are the victim of abuse, or you know someone who you think is at risk, or has been abused, then it is important to get help.

You can report your concerns by completing our online form. 

Before you start

Before you complete this form, please read the following information to help determine if you have a safeguarding concern.

If you have concerns regarding your own or someone else’s mental health, please speak to your GP in the first instance. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust crisis line on 0800 028 8000. Find out about our mental health support.

If you or another adult are having active thoughts of suicide, please call 999.

Safeguarding is a legal duty given to local authorities to protect adults from experiencing or living with abuse or neglect however, not every adult will meet the criteria for safeguarding.

Please consider the criteria below before reporting a safeguarding concern:

• The adult has care and support needs
• The adult is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
• As a result of those care and support needs, the adult is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect

If you or someone you know, is having difficulties managing activities of daily living and would benefit from an assessment, make a referral to adult social care.

What you will need

When completing the form, you will be asked for:

• Your name
• Your telephone
• Your email address (this is to provide you with a copy of the information you have submitted)
• Details of your concern (including information of other people involved)

These details are to help us make further enquiries and to contact you again if necessary. Please include as much information as possible, this helps us make an informed decision.

Your details will be kept strictly confidential.

It will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to report a concern online. Please have all the necessary information to hand before you start as the form will time out and not save if left incomplete.

Report a concern

What happens next?

Once you report the suspected abuse we will look carefully at the situation. This may lead to a full investigation which follows our Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures (pdf, 1.5 MB) and may involve health services and the Police.

We will then take steps to:

• Ensure the adult at risk is protected in the future
• Speak to the Police if a criminal offence has been committed.