A Guide for Families and Residents
When choosing care for yourself or a loved one, feeling safe, respected and listened to is just as important as receiving high-quality day-to-day support. This is where safeguarding in care plays an essential role.
But what does safeguarding mean in a care home, and how does it help protect older people?
In this guide, we explain what safeguarding in care means, the different types of abuse and neglect, how concerns are identified and reported, and why safeguarding is an important part of providing high-quality care.
What Is Safeguarding in Care?
Safeguarding in care means protecting people who receive care and support from abuse, neglect and avoidable harm. It involves putting measures in place to prevent harm, recognising potential safeguarding concerns and taking appropriate action when concerns are identified.
In England, adult safeguarding is supported by the Care Act 2014, which provides a legal framework for protecting adults with care and support needs from abuse or neglect. The government defines adult safeguarding as protecting an adult’s right to live safely and free from abuse and neglect.
Safeguarding is not simply about responding to incidents. Effective safeguarding also focuses on prevention, dignity, wellbeing, choice and person-centred care.
Why Is Safeguarding Important in Care Homes?
People living in care homes may have care and support needs that can make it more difficult to protect themselves from abuse or neglect. Safeguarding helps ensure that residents are treated with dignity and respect and that concerns about their safety are taken seriously.
Good safeguarding practices can help care homes:
- Prevent abuse and neglect wherever possible
- Identify potential risks at an early stage
- Protect residents from harm
- Promote dignity, independence and choice
- Ensure concerns are reported and investigated appropriately
- Give residents and their families confidence in the care being provided
- Encourage staff to speak up when something does not seem right
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. Care providers, local authorities, health professionals, the police and other organisations may need to work together when a safeguarding concern arises.
What Are the Different Types of Abuse in Care?
Safeguarding covers a range of different forms of abuse and neglect. These can include:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves deliberately causing physical harm to another person. This could include hitting, pushing, inappropriate restraint or other forms of physical assault.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse can involve behaviour that causes emotional distress or undermines a person’s confidence and wellbeing. Examples may include threats, intimidation, humiliation, controlling behaviour or deliberately isolating someone.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse involves the improper or unauthorised use of someone’s money, property or possessions. This could include theft, fraud, scams or pressure to hand over money.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves any sexual activity that a person has not consented to or is unable to consent to. Safeguarding procedures help protect individuals from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Neglect
Neglect occurs when someone’s essential care or support needs are not properly met. This could include failing to provide appropriate food, medication, personal care, clothing or medical attention.
Organisational or Institutional Abuse
This can occur when poor practices within an organisation result in harm or reduced quality of care. Examples could include unsafe routines, inadequate staffing or practices that fail to respect residents’ individual needs.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse can affect older people as well as younger adults and may involve physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse within a relationship or family setting.
Self-Neglect
Self-neglect occurs when someone is unable or unwilling to adequately care for their own health, safety or wellbeing. It can sometimes require safeguarding intervention and support.
The Care Act statutory guidance covers different forms and patterns of abuse and neglect and explains how concerns should be recognised and responded to.
What Are the Six Principles of Safeguarding?
The Care Act identifies six key principles that underpin effective adult safeguarding:
| Principle | What it means |
|---|---|
| Empowerment | Supporting people to make their own decisions and have a voice in their care. |
| Prevention | Taking action to prevent abuse or neglect before harm occurs. |
| Proportionality | Responding appropriately and using the least intrusive intervention possible. |
| Protection | Supporting people who are at greatest risk of abuse or neglect. |
| Partnership | Organisations and professionals working together to protect people. |
| Accountability | Ensuring safeguarding decisions and actions are transparent and responsible. |
These principles help ensure that safeguarding remains person-centred, rather than simply focusing on procedures.
How Does Safeguarding Work in a Care Home?
Care homes should have safeguarding policies and procedures in place to help protect residents. Staff should be appropriately trained to recognise signs of abuse or neglect and understand what to do if they have a concern.
Safeguarding may involve:
- Recognising a concern – A staff member, resident, relative or another professional notices something that may indicate abuse or neglect.
- Reporting the concern – The concern is reported through the appropriate safeguarding procedure.
- Assessing the situation – Relevant professionals consider the circumstances and potential risks.
- Taking action – Appropriate steps are taken to protect the individual and reduce the risk of further harm.
- Working with other organisations – Depending on the circumstances, this may involve the local authority, NHS services, police or other agencies.
- Supporting the individual – The person’s wishes, feelings, wellbeing and safety should remain central to the safeguarding response.
Under the Care Act, local authorities have statutory duties to make safeguarding enquiries, or arrange for them to be made, when the relevant criteria are met.
What Are the Signs That Someone May Be Experiencing Abuse?
Recognising potential signs of abuse can help concerns be addressed as early as possible.
Depending on the circumstances, signs may include:
- Unexplained injuries or frequent accidents
- Sudden changes in mood or behaviour
- Becoming withdrawn or unusually anxious
- Changes in financial circumstances
- Poor personal hygiene or unexplained weight loss
- Missing belongings or money
- Fear of particular people
- Unusual changes in relationships
- Signs of neglect or unmet care needs
A single sign does not necessarily mean that abuse is taking place. However, concerns should be taken seriously and reported through the appropriate safeguarding procedures.
What Should You Do If You Have a Safeguarding Concern?
If you are worried that an older person may be experiencing abuse or neglect, it is important not to ignore the concern.
In a care home, you can raise the issue with a member of staff or the home’s management team. Depending on the circumstances, concerns may also need to be referred to the local authority safeguarding team or another appropriate organisation.
The most important thing is that concerns are reported and taken seriously, so that appropriate action can be considered.
Safeguarding at Fairfield House
At Fairfield House, the safety, dignity and wellbeing of our residents are central to the care we provide. We understand that families want reassurance that their loved ones are being treated with compassion, respect and kindness.
Alongside providing professional care and support, we aim to create a welcoming environment where residents feel comfortable, valued and able to express their wishes and concerns.
Safeguarding is an important part of creating a safe and supportive care environment, helping residents enjoy their daily lives with confidence and peace of mind.
If you would like to find out more about care at Fairfield House, our team would be happy to answer your questions and explain more about life at our care home.
📞 Call us today to arrange a visit: 01297 443 513
📧 Email: manager@fairfieldhouse.co.uk
