Safeguarding Adults
Use the links below to access sections of the Care Act 2014 resource for information about the legal requirements of all safeguarding under the Act.
See: Identifying and Reporting Abuse and Neglect, which is part of the larger Care Act 2014 resource.
Adults
If the person is over 65:
Tel: 020 7525 3324
E-mail: OPPDContactteam@southwark.gov.uk
If the person has a physical disability:
Tel: 020 7525 3324
E-mail: OPPDContactteam@southwark.gov.uk
If the person is affected by learning disability:
Tel: 020 7525 2333
E-mail: learningdisabilitiesduty@southwark.gov.uk
If the person is affected by mental health:
Tel: 020 7525 0088
E-mail: MHContact@southwark.gov.uk
If you are unsure which team to contact, or experience difficulty use the details below:
Tel: 020 7525 3324
E-mail: OPPDContactteam@southwark.gov.uk
Out-of-hours:
If an Urgent Community Response @home is required and it is outside normal office hours, you should contact the out-of-hours team.
Tel: 020 7525 5000
In all cases, if you are concerned that an adult is in imminent danger from abuse or neglect, or that a criminal act has taken place, you should contact the police by dialing 999.
Children
If you are concerned about a child this should be reported to the Assessment and Intervention Service:
Tel: 020 7525 1921 (during office hours, Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm)
Tel: 020 7525 5000 (outside office hours)
E-mail: MASH@southwark.gov.uk
If you are concerned that a child is in imminent danger from abuse or neglect, or that a criminal act has taken place you should contact the police by dialing 999.
The London multi-agency safeguarding procedures should be your primary source of support and practice guidance when working in the safeguarding adult's arena.
They set out specifically how the Local Authority works with other organisations in the area, such as the police and the ICB to fulfil the requirements of the Care Act, including how they:
- Prevent and protect adults at risk from abuse;
- Empower and support adults to make their own choices;
- Investigate actual (or suspected) abuse or neglect; and
- Support adults who are at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect.
The London multi-agency policy and procedures set out a four stage process for handling safeguarding enquiries. The stages are:
- Stage 1: Concerns;
- Stage 2: Enquiry;
- Stage 3: Safeguarding Plan and Review;
- Stage 4: Closing the Enquiry.
The London multi-agency safeguarding procedures and appendices can be accessed from the Safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty section of the Southwark Policies and Procedures area.
In the same place you can also find all supporting local processes, forms and guidance to support implementation of the multi-agency procedures.
In line with the Care Act 2014, Southwark Council has a Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB).
See the Safeguarding Adults Board section of The Care Act 2014 and find out more about:
- The aim of Safeguarding Adults Boards;
- Their role and statutory duties;
- When boards must carry out a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR).
For further information, visit our Safeguarding Adults Board website.
Last Updated: May 20, 2024
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