Adult Safeguarding
🚨 Immediate Risk?
If there is immediate danger or risk of serious harm, call 999.
📋 Overview
Adult safeguarding refers to the protection of adults (aged 18+) from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Adults at risk may include those with:
- Physical or mental disabilities
- Learning difficulties
- Physical illness or frailty
- Substance misuse issues
- Dementia or cognitive impairment
Legal Framework
Safeguarding adults is underpinned by the Care Act 2014, which outlines local authorities’ duties to protect adults at risk.
🔍 Types of Abuse
| Abuse Type | Signs to Look For |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained injuries, bruises, fractures |
| Emotional/Psychological | Withdrawal, agitation, low self-esteem |
| Financial | Unusual bank activity, missing possessions, coercion |
| Sexual | Inappropriate sexual behaviour, physical signs |
| Neglect | Poor hygiene, untreated conditions, malnutrition |
| Discriminatory | Abuse based on race, gender, disability, etc. |
| Domestic | See Domestic Abuse |
| Modern Slavery | Signs of coercion, control, exploitation |
| Self-neglect | Inability to care for oneself, living in squalor |
⚠️ Making a Safeguarding Referral
Professional Referral Required
Safeguarding referrals must be made through the official online portal. Email and postal referrals are no longer accepted.
Referral Process
- Assess immediate risk - Call 999 if emergency
- Gather information - What, who, when, where, witnesses
- Discuss with supervisor - If uncertain, seek senior advice
- Complete online referral form - See link below
- Document in medical record - Include referral details and concerns
Online Referral Form
Submit safeguarding referrals: Report concerns of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult
📝 What to Include in Referral
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Adult at risk | Name, DOB, address, contact details |
| Concerns | Specific allegations, observations, evidence |
| Person causing harm | If known and safe to identify |
| Risk level | Immediate, high, medium, low with rationale |
| Actions taken | Any immediate protective measures |
| Your details | Name, role, contact information |
🚨 Emergency Situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger | Call 999 |
| Serious harm likely | Call police + safeguarding line |
| Medical emergency | Call 999 or arrange urgent admission |
| Out of hours | Use emergency safeguarding pathway if available |
📞 Local Contacts
📧 Important Update - New NHS GM Safeguarding Inboxes
From 26 June 2026, locality-based safeguarding inboxes have closed. Use the centralized NHS GM safeguarding inboxes below for all safeguarding correspondence.
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Safeguarding Adults | Online referral form |
| NHS GM Safeguarding - General Enquiries | nhsgm.safeguarding@nhs.net |
| NHS GM Safeguarding - Primary Care | nhsgm.safeguardingprimarycare@nhs.net |
| NHS GM Safeguarding - Case Reviews | nhsgm.safeguardingcasereviews@nhs.net |
| NHS GM Safeguarding - Assurance & Serious Incidents | nhsgm.safeguarding.assurance@nhs.net |
| Police (non-emergency) | 101 |
| Emergency | 999 |
| Community Adult Front Door | Wigan Council Adult Services |
NHS GM Safeguarding Inbox Guide
| Purpose | Use This Inbox |
|---|---|
| General safeguarding enquiries (including looked after children) | nhsgm.safeguarding@nhs.net |
| Primary care safeguarding | nhsgm.safeguardingprimarycare@nhs.net |
| Safeguarding case reviews (screenings, rapid reviews, SARs, CSPRs, DHRs) | nhsgm.safeguardingcasereviews@nhs.net |
| NHS Provider assurance & serious incidents | nhsgm.safeguarding.assurance@nhs.net |
🔗 Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Wigan Council Safeguarding Adults | wigan.gov.uk |
| Care Act 2014 Guidance | gov.uk |