How to report abuse
If you think an adult is at risk of abuse or is being abused, please follow the information below for support and guidance.
In case of an emergency
If you think someone is in immediate danger or a crime has been committed, please call 999.
Our responsibilities
The Care Act 2014 section 42 requires local authorities to make enquiries, or to ask others to make enquiries, where they reasonably suspect that an adult in their area with care and support needs is at risk of abuse or neglect and is unable to protect himself/herself.The purpose of the enquiry will be to establish what, if any, action is required.
Southend Safeguarding Adults Board
The Safeguarding Southend Adults Board hold a statutory role in supporting, coordinating and overseeing the delivery and quality of multi-agency adult safeguarding activity within the city of Southend.
The Partnership's Adult's website provides a wide range of information on their work. It also includes published reports, information and guidance.
Dealing with abuse as an unpaid carer
Information and support about how to deal with abuse as an unpaid carer can be found on the Safeguarding Southend website.
How do you know if someone is being abused?
There are many different types of abuse, some of which can be difficult to spot. The Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) Safeguarding Adults Guidelines provides more information.
Listed below are examples of what could be classed as abuse:
- physical consists of assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint, inappropriate physical sanctions
- domestic abuse consists of emotional, financial, sexual, psychological, physical or so-called ‘honour' based violence, which takes place between people who are personally connected, such as current or ex intimate partners or family members
- sexual abuse is any sexual act that an adult has not consented to or was pressured into consenting
- psychological/emotional abuse is when someone experiences verbal abuse or threatening behaviour, controlling, blaming, humiliation or intimidation, or abandonment
- financial or material abuse can be the prevention of an adult from accessing their possessions, or money, or their home. It can also include stealing a person's
- money or coercion in relation to their financial affairs or arrangements
- modern slavery results in people being trafficked, sex work, domestic servitude or used as forced labour
- discriminatory abuse can be harassment, slurs, comments that relate to an adult's ability, disability, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, married or civil partnerships, cultural background or race, or their age
- neglect – this can be both emotional and physical and examples could be stopping someone from making their own choices or decisions, ignoring medical, emotional, or physical health needs, fair to access appropriate health, care and support, not providing enough food or medication, or not keeping a person warm and clean
- self-neglect - a wide range of behaviour; neglecting to care for one's personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding
- organisational abuse – wide ranging; can look like behaviours that discourage visits or the involvement of relatives or friends. Rigid regimes, poor environment, staffing issues, inappropriate use of restraints, ignoring privacy and lack of dignity in care, inadequate care and support, failure to deal with issues or concerns
Reporting abuse of an adult or carer
If you suspect an adult or carer is being abused but does not require you to call 999 or report a crime on 101, you can raise a concern electronically.
Please select this button to register to use the Safeguarding Portal.
If you do not have access to the Internet, please call our Contact Centre on 01702 215008. If you are unable to raise your concerns using our online portal, you can ring Adult Social Care via our Contact Centre on 01702 215008.
Please note that portal referrals are not monitored outside of business hours. You are also able to raise a concern anonymously, electronically or by phone. If you need urgent support outside of business hours, please contact our Out of Hours Service on 03456061212 or by email eds@essex.gov.uk. They will assist you if your concern cannot wait until the next working day.
Your information is stored securely in accordance with Southend-on-Sea City Council's Adult Social Care Privacy Notice.
What happens once you have raised your concern?
We will take the following steps upon receipt of your referral:
- if we feel that the person is in immediate danger, or that a crime is taking place, we will contact the police immediately
- we will review your concern, and it will be passed to the most appropriate team
- we will work with the person to understand what they want, and if required, put actions in place to protect the person from harm
Every safeguarding situation is different, and where we can, we will fully respect the person's wishes. If the person at risk does not want information to be shared, we are unable to contact you with an update.
People in Positions of Trust (PiPoT) Guidance
This guidance is for members of the public, partners, providers, and professionals.
Who is a PiPoT:
- A Person in Position of Trust (PiPoT) is any individual - paid or unpaid - who works with or supports adults with care and support needs and is relied upon to act responsibly. This is know as regulated activity.
- This includes carers, social care professionals, healthcare staff, and volunteers but can also include people in other positions ‘of trust’ e.g. sport coaches where they may come across or support people with care and support needs.
- Because of their role, they are expected to maintain professional standards/boundaries, act with integrity, and safeguard those in their care.
What is the difference between a PiPoT referral and a safeguarding referral?
A PiPoT referral is the formal process of reporting concerns about a PiPoT to the Local Authority. You may need to make a referral if concerns are raised about the PiPoTs’s conduct in activities outside of their work with adults who have care and support needs.
A safeguarding referral is required when a concern is observed or reported that a person either employed/volunteering in regulated activity or not is at risk of or has harmed someone who has care and support needs.
A safeguarding referral is made via the SCC portal - Adult Social Care Portal | Livewell Southend which is a different process to making a PiPoT referral.
A PiPoT referral should be made if:
- Allegations of harm or abuse are made against a PiPoT
- Concerns about behaviour outside their professional role suggest they may pose a transferable risk to the adults their support with care and support needs, (e.g., inappropriate conduct in the community).
- Information arises that questions their suitability to continue working with people with needs for care and support.
- The PiPoT is reported to the Police for a criminal offence
Referrals are not about proving guilt—they are about ensuring risks are assessed and managed.
To discuss a concern or make a referral please contact:
pipotreferrals@southend.gov.uk
*the PiPoT email and process replaces the Adult LADO email and referral process which is how we previously responded to such concerns.
Concerns relating to children
For any concerns where the PiPoT works or volunteers with children then a referral should be sent to children’s safeguarding via lado@southend.gov.uk
Safeguarding children
All the key child protection policies and guidance that agencies must follow to keep children safe in Southend are available on the Children's Services website.
The website explains what is expected of everybody when there is a concern about a child's safety, what they should do, who they should contact and how.
The procedures apply to all children up to the age of 18 years, including unborn babies.
Reporting the abuse of a child or young person (under the age of 18)
If you suspect a child or young person who is under the age of 18 is being abused but does not require you to call 999 or report a crime on 101, you can find out more about raising a concern with Children's Services.