Safeguarding children and adults at risk of harm - 13. Reporting concerns

13.1  Quick Guide to Safeguarding Procedures.

13.2  Immediate Danger - concerns that a child or adult is at immediate risk of harm should be reported to the police using 999.

13.3  Concerns about a child at risk of harm, or likely to suffer from significant harm - Contact Norfolk Childrens Advice and Duty Service (CADS) on 0344 800 8021. When considering whether to make a referral to CADS, consult the CADS Flowchart and the Norfolk Continuum of Needs Guidance 2023. 

13.4  Concerns about an adult at risk of harm

If the person: 

• has care and support needs (whether the authority is meeting any of those needs),
• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
• as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.’ (Care Act 2014, section 42).

This is a safeguarding concern and must be reported to Adult Social Care on 0344 800 8020.

If the person does not meet the above criteria but, for example, has a health need resulting in welfare concerns you can signpost them to NHS 111 or contact their GP. 

There is a separate process guide for reporting adult safeguarding, with specific scenarios, available for staff on the council's intranet.

13.5  Risk of harm and suicidal concerns - If a person is expressing thoughts of harming themselves or others or suicidal thoughts, staff should refer to the guide on the council intranet.

In all cases staff should complete a safeguarding issue log (SIL) form and note the action they have taken on the relevant case management system.

13.6  Early Intervention - Where there may be a safeguarding risk or concern, staff can access advice and support from a range of partners at the weekly Norwich Early Help (NEHH) collaboration meeting. The meetings take place via MS teams (for details on how to join, contact nehh@norwich.gov.uk).