What is safeguarding in care? 

This article explains what is safeguarding in care, outlines safeguarding adults (also described as ‘vulnerable’ adults) legislation. It gives examples of safeguarding in care homes to ensure everyone is protected from harm.

Key Points

• Safeguarding in care protects people from abuse, neglect, and harm.
• It covers different types of abuse including physical, emotional, financial, and organisational.
• Care homes uphold safeguarding in care through legal responsibilities, DBS checks, staff training, transparent reporting procedures, clear policies and regular inspections by care regulators.
• Families can raise concerns with care providers, local authorities, the police or the care regulator.

What is safeguarding in care?

When arranging care for a family member or friend, or choosing a care home, checking for safeguarding in care is crucial to protect them from abuse, neglect and harm.

Safeguarding in care involves care providers, including care homes, taking steps to protect ‘vulnerable’ adults from harm including abuse, neglect or exploitation.

NHS England states ‘safeguarding means protecting a citizen’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. Safeguarding children, young people and adults is a collective responsibility.’

Who needs safeguarding and why? 

Safeguarding is at the heart of compassionate care. It ensures that everyone, regardless of age or ability, is treated with dignity, respect, and kindness.

For families, knowing that a loved one is safe and well cared for brings peace of mind.

For care homes, strong safeguarding practices build trust, improve care home inspection ratings, and create a positive environment for both residents and staff.

Those most in need of protection from harm include children, young people and adults at risk.

Vulnerable adults

Adults at risk (also described as ‘vulnerable’ adults) include those receiving care in their own home or a care home with physical, sensory, mental impairments or learning disabilities.

These individuals are considered ‘vulnerable’ and are at a higher risk of abuse and harm than the general population.

Safeguarding concerns: Types of harm

Safeguarding covers many forms of harm.

Types of harm recognised under UK safeguarding legislation include:

• Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing or the misuse of medication or restraint.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: Threats, humiliation or controlling behaviour.
• Financial abuse: Theft, fraud or misuse of someone’s money or possessions.
• Neglect or acts of omission: Failing to provide food, care, or medical attention.
• Sexual abuse: Unwanted sexual activity or exploitation.
• Organisational abuse: Poor care practices or neglect within a care setting.
• Discriminatory abuse: Unfair treatment based on age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sexuality.

What are the 5 main safeguarding issues?

The five main categories of safeguarding issues are physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

Recognising signs of harm early is crucial to ensuring quick action and protection.

Examples of safeguarding issues in a care home

• Rough treatment such as pushing or being shouted at or ignored.  
• Maladministration of medication: Medication is mismanaged intentionally, such as giving sedatives to manage behaviour.
• Financial abuse including theft, fraud or exploitation.
• Lack of social integration can lead to mental health issues and affect general wellbeing.
• Pressure sores. 
• Poor nutritional care.

Safeguarding Adults in the UK

England

Care Act 2014

• Guidance in the Care Act 2014 covers adult safeguarding and why it matters. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility between care providers, health professionals like GPs, etc who must be proactive to prevent harm to people in their care. They must respond quickly when safeguarding concerns arise.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities, care providers, including care homes, and the NHS have a legal duty to safeguard adults who:

• Have needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting those needs).
• Are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect.
• As a result of those care and support needs, are unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

The Care Act states: ‘Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

‘It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action.’  

Wales

• Safeguarding for people in Wales who need care and support is primarily governed by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. 

It defines an ‘adult at risk’ as someone experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect who needs care and support and is unable to protect themselves.

Local authorities have a duty to make enquiries if they suspect a person in their area is an adult at risk.

• The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 sets rules for   social care services, including care homes, and ensures standards are met through the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). 

Scotland

• In Scotland, the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) 2007 Act is designed to protect those ‘adults at risk’.

The Act, defines ‘adults at risk’ as individuals, those who are unable to safeguard their own interests, their property, rights and are at risk of harm because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity. They are more vulnerable to being harmed than others who are not so affected.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, safeguarding for people in care homes not governed by a single overarching statute like the Care Act 2014. It is governed by a framework of legislation, policies and procedures.

• The Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 provides a legal framework for decision-making for individuals who lack capacity, which is a key aspect of safeguarding in care homes.
• The ‘Adult Safeguarding: Prevention and Protection in Partnership’ policydocument   sets out a framework for organisations working with adults at risk.
• The Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 Act makes it an offence for a care worker to ill-treat or wilfully neglect an individual in their care.

Care regulators

There are four care regulators in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.   

• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) also inspects care homes in England. The CQC reinforces the Care Act by stating that safeguarding adults includes care providers ‘making sure people’s wellbeing is promoted, taking their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs into account’.
• The Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspects care homes in Wales and ensures care standards are met.
• Care Inspectorate (CI)inspects care homes in Scotland and handles care home safeguarding.
• The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) inspects care homes in Northern Ireland. There are minimum standards in Northern Ireland for residential care homes covering quality care in care homes. The role of RQIA in inspection and regulation is important in the identification and prevention of safeguarding concerns or incidents.

The care watchdogs must ensure that regulated care providers comply with the fundamental standards of care.

The regulators check for safeguarding in care at settings such as care homes and identifies any safeguarding concerns. 

They do this by:   

• Using information received from anyone (e.g. concerns raised about abuse, harm or neglect) to consider risks to care home residents.
• Carrying out care home inspections. Inspectors talk to care home staff, care home residents and their families about safety, effectiveness, responsiveness of the care home.
• Publishing findings on safeguarding in care home inspection reports.
• Taking action. If a care inspector finds that a care home is not keeping people safe, it can take enforcement action against the care home.   
• Refer concerns about a care home resident to the local authority and/or the police for further investigation.
• Work with the police, local authorities, health agencies, other regulators and government departments to help protect care home residents.

Safeguarding in care: What does it look like in care homes? 

Here are some of the key safeguarding measures you can expect from reputable care homes:

• Rigorous staff recruitment and background checks (DBS screening).
• Comprehensive staff training on safeguarding, dignity and communication.
• Clear safeguarding policies and reporting procedures.
• Regular risk assessments.
• Open communication with families and residents.
• Regular care assessments to identify changes in wellbeing.
• Transparent complaint handling and whistleblowing policies.

What are the 5 Rs of safeguarding? 

The 5 Rs in safeguarding will help care staff to recall the steps they should take if they ever have a safeguarding concern.

Care staff must:

• Recognise: Know the signs and indicators of abuse and neglect.
• Respond: Respond appropriately when you have a concern about abuse or neglect. A care home’s safeguarding policy will detail the steps that should be taken to respond safely and effectively to any potential safeguarding issue.
• Report: Report a safeguarding concern to the designated safeguarding lead. Who this person is, should be in the care home’s safeguarding policy.
• Record: Record everything seen or heard in relation to the issue.
• Refer: Refer your concerns to the correct authority. It is normally the designated safeguarding lead that will report this, so care staff must pass on everything they have.

What are the 6 safeguarding principles?

There are 6 safeguarding principles, embedded in the Care Act 2014. 

1. Empowerment: Individuals should be supported to make their own decisions with informed consent.
2. Prevention: Take action before harm occurs.
3. Proportionality: Have a proportional response to situations. Respect the care home resident’s wishes where possible and think about what is best for them.
4. Protection: Staff should know what to do to identify abuse and protect residents. They should know the care home’s policies and procedures for reporting concerns and know what support to offer residents.
5. Partnership: The care provider should work with other healthcare providers, local authorities, and other organisations to prevent, identify, and report abuse. 
6. Accountability: Everyone is responsible for safeguarding, and care home staff should know what their roles and responsibilities are.

What is an example of safeguarding?    

Good safeguarding in a care home involves taking a proactive approach to ensure residents’ safety and well-being.

Examples of safeguarding:

• Care home staff have regular training sessions to ensure staff are well-versed in identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns, thereby fostering a safer environment for residents. They can identify and respond to signs of abuse or neglect.
• As a result, a care home resident (who had previously been isolated) is encouraged to join social activities. This gave them a sense of belonging and prevented neglect.

• There is a designated safeguarding lead who reviews incidents and supports staff in handling any concerns confidentially.
• Families are kept informed, and the home has clear reporting procedures for any suspected abuse. These measures ensure residents feel safe, respected, and protected at all times.

What to do if you have safeguarding concerns

If you’re worried that someone in a care home or receiving care at home may be at risk, act quickly.

You can:

• Speak directly to the care home manager or senior carer.

• Contact your local authority’s adult safeguarding team.
• Report urgent concerns to the police. In emergencies, call emergency services.
• Contact the care regulator in your country, if you believe a care provider is unsafe.

Finding safe and trusted care homes

Good care homes take safeguarding extremely seriously. At carehome.co.uk, there are thousands of care home reviews and ratings from residents and families. This helps you identify care homes that prioritise safety and compassion.

If you’re looking for a care home that prioritises safety and wellbeing, visit carehome.co.uk to:

• Access expert guidance to help you choose the right care with the Care Help team.
• Search thousands of UK care homes.
• Read independent reviews from residents and families.
• Compare care home inspection ratings.