Report a Safeguarding Concern

If you suspect somebody is being harmed, don’t ignore it, report it.

People with care and support needs may find it hard to protect themselves from abuse and neglect.

This includes people with disabilities, long-term conditions or those who are frail and need extra support to live independently.

Other people at risk of abuse are those with mental health issues, who are homeless, experiencing memory loss, or misuse substances. It also includes people who look after someone else, when the care they provide is unpaid.

If you are a provider and are concerned about the quality of care, see Reporting care quality concerns.

Report an urgent safety concern for a child, young person or adult

If you are concerned for a child or adult's immediate safety you should

Contact Surrey Police on 999

Report a concern for an adult

The quickest way to let Surrey County Council know about your concerns is online.

Make a safeguarding referral

Other ways to contact Surrey County Council social care team:

  • Telephone:  0300 200 1005
  • Textphone (via Text Relay):  18001 0300 200 1005
  • SMS:  07527 182 861 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)
  • VRS:  Sign Language Video Relay Service (Surrey County Council)

For emergency situations outside our standard lines hours.

  • Telephone:  01483 517 898
  • Email:   edt.ssd@surreycc.gov.uk
  • Textphone (via Relay UK):  18001 01483 517898
  • Text (SMS):  07800000388 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)

Concerns of domestic abuse

If you have already been in touch

Please contact your allocated social worker or family support worker directly.

If you wish to report concerns directly to the police, please telephone 101.

What is abuse?

Abuse can take many forms including:

  • physical abuse - this includes being hit, shaken, kicked, being locked in a room or inappropriate restraint
  • sexual abuse - this includes an adult being made to take part in a sexual activity when they have not given, or are not able to give their consent
  • psychological abuse - this includes being shouted at, ridiculed or bullied, threatened with harm, blamed or controlled by intimidation or fear
  • financial or material abuse - this includes theft, fraud, financial exploitation and pressure in connection with financial matters or misuse of someone else's finances
  • neglect - this includes the failure to provide essential care and support needs that results in someone being harmed
  • discrimination - this includes ill treatment, harassment, threats or insults due a person's age, gender, sexuality, disability, race or religious belief
  • modern slavery - this incudes human trafficking and forced labour

What happens after you report abuse?

Anyone can refer a safeguarding concern. This includes:

If you suspect abuse, reporting it can bring it to an end. It is in everyone's interest to look out for others and protect them from abuse.

When you report abuse, the team will:

  • listen to you
  • take your concerns seriously
  • respond sensitively
  • consider any immediate danger that the vulnerable adult may be in
  • talk to the police if it is a criminal matter
  • ask about the concerns
  • consider the wishes of the adult at risk
  • develop a plan with the adult that will keep them safe in the future

Action may be taken against the person causing them harm.