Tell us about an adult being abused or neglected

WarningIf someone is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police

If you suspect, tell us

If you think an adult is being abused or neglected, please report it to us. You can make a report about someone else, or about your own situation. It's much safer to report the issue, and be wrong, than to keep quiet when you're worried that something bad is happening.

If you're unsure who's at risk of abuse or neglect, or what situations or behaviour may be abusive, please check below.

Learn about who is most at risk

Someone in need of care and support can be particularly at risk of harm, abuse or neglect.

This could include anyone:

with a physical disability or illness
elderly or frail
with sensory loss
living with dementia
with a learning disability
with a mental health need

If you're not sure what to look out for

Abuse and neglect can take many forms. You may not feel sure if someone's behaviour or a situation is abusive or not, and perhaps the adult you're worried about can't tell you what's happening, or how they feel about it.

Use the examples below to help you to decide.

Different types of abuse, with meanings and examples
Type of abuse	What to watch out for
Physical abuse	Hitting, slapping, kicking, being locked in a room or restrained inappropriately
Sexual abuse	Forcing someone to take part in a sexual activity which they don't or can't consent to
Emotional or psychological abuse	Shouting, teasing, name-calling, bullying, frightening or pressurising someone into decisions; not allowing someone to contact friends or family
Financial or material abuse	Misusing, stealing or taking away someone's money, bank cards or belongings
Discriminatory abuse	Treating someone badly, because of their age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or religion and belief
Domestic abuse	Using controlling, forcible or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse against a partner, family member or someone in the same household
Modern slavery	Bringing people into the UK illegally, not allowing them to leave, or forcing them to work for no or little pay (including as a domestic servant or sex worker)
Neglect	Failure to provide care, food, water, washing facilities or other essentials, resulting in physical harm or emotional distress
Self-neglect	Situations where someone refuses help with their care needs, hygiene, health or their environment, and this has a significant impact on their overall wellbeing

When any of these types of abuse or neglect happen because of the actions (or failure to act) of an organisation, we call this organisational abuse.

To report your concerns, or discuss the situation further with a member of our team, follow the guidance below that applies to you.

If you're a professional working with people who have care or support needs

Get advice

If you would like to discuss a case before making a referral, you can call us for advice. We have an all-hours service, and will respond to your call as quickly as we can.

Social Work Teams and Contact Information
Day and time	Number	Team
Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm Mon to Thurs 8.30am to 5pm	01225 394570	Access, Advice and Information Team
Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm Mon to Thurs 8.30am to 5pm	01225 394200	Safeguarding Triage and Urgent Response Service
Evenings, bank holidays and weekends	01454 615165	Emergency Duty Social Work Team

Make a referral

We're now managing reports and referrals from professionals via a new online service, Adults Portal live.

The first time you use this service, we'll ask you to set up an account. Use our Quick Start guide to help you. Use our Safeguarding Guidance to help you submit a detailed referral form.

Make your referral online

You'll need to sign in to your portal account every time you make a new report, or add details about an existing case.

If you're a member of the public

Call us to discuss the problem

We have an all-hours service, and will respond to your call as quickly as we can.

Social Work Teams and Contact Information
Day and time	Number	Team
Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm Mon to Thurs 8.30am to 5pm	01225 394570	Access, Advice and Information Team
Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm Mon to Thurs 8.30am to 5pm	01225 394200	Safeguarding, Triage and Urgent Response Team
Evenings, bank holidays and weekends	01454 615165	Emergency Duty Social Work Team

What we'll do

When you contact us, we'll talk to you about any further action we plan to take, and consider your wishes and feelings. We'll always try to maintain confidentiality, unless it is impossible to do so. For further details about what we'll do when you report a concern to us, visit the Bath & North East Somerset Community Safety and Safeguarding Partnership (BCSSP) website.

If there is a large-scale safeguarding concern within an organisation, such as a nursing or care home, we will progress safeguarding measures as quickly as possible.