Did you know? How to report concerns about someone’s safety or wellbeing
Safeguarding refers to measures and actions taken to protect individuals, particularly vulnerable groups like children, elderly people, and those with disabilities, from harm, abuse, and exploitation.
Safeguarding is vital across different sectors, including education, health care, social services, and even in the workplace.
Key areas of safeguarding
- protection from abuse: preventing physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- promoting well-being: ensuring that the physical and emotional needs of individuals are met in a safe environment
- preventing radicalisation and extremism: safeguarding individuals from harmful ideologies and influences
- supporting mental health: identifying and addressing signs of mental health issues or trauma
- promoting rights and respect: ensuring people have access to justice and are treated with dignity
At Arun District Council, whilst some staff are not customer facing and raising safeguarding concerns for children and adults may be rare, our ethos is that safeguarding is the responsibility of all - both professionally and personally, and we'd like to think our residents feel the same way.
If you have a concern regarding an adult, please telephone the safeguarding adults hub on 0330 222 8400 before submitting an online referral. They received 1000 referrals from various partner agencies in October 2024 and their staffing capacity is only for 400, so please make a call first as the majority of safeguarding referrals received are either requests for a care needs assessment, or the adult does not have care and support need that met the safeguarding duty under the Care Act 2014.
If you do call and are advised that it is not a safeguarding matter, but you remain concerned, please email safeguarding@arun.gov.uk and we can discuss next steps. We have a dedicated officer at the council that we can all refer to and raise any concerns.
What to can you do?
Recognise signs of abuse or harm
- be aware of physical signs (bruises, injuries, malnutrition)
- listen for emotional cues (withdrawal, anxiety, depression)
- watch for behavioural changes (unexplained absences, aggression, fearfulness)
- identify neglect (lack of supervision, inappropriate clothing, poor hygiene)
Respond appropriately
- stay calm - your immediate reaction can make a substantial difference. Stay composed to handle the situation
- listen and be supportive - if someone discloses harm or distress, listen attentively. Reassure them they are safe and that you will take their concerns seriously
- avoid making promises you can't keep - don't promise secrecy or that everything will be fixed right away. Let them know you will take appropriate steps
- do not investigate or question the details yourself. Just listen and report
Report safeguarding concerns
Report to the right authority - this might be our designated safeguarding officer, a local child protection service, a social worker, or law enforcement, it will depend on the situation, and whether it is a child or adult.
To raise a concern about an adult - find details here: Raise a concern about an adult - West Sussex County Council
To raise a concern about a child - find details here: Request support or raise a concern about a child - West Sussex County Council
Further contact details can be found here: Raise a concern | Safeguarding Adults Board
Always maintain confidentiality and only share information with those who need to know to protect the individual.
Safeguarding is about creating environments where people, especially vulnerable individuals, feel safe, valued, and respected. It's about having clear procedures in place to act when concerns arise and ensuring that individuals are supported through any challenges they may face.
In any safeguarding situation, taking prompt and responsible action can help prevent further harm and ensure the individual receives the support they need.
For further details, go to our website: Safeguarding children and adults | Arun District Council