To report a safeguarding concern at work, tell your organisation's safeguarding lead straight away and follow its safeguarding policy. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 first. Concerns about a child go to the children's social care team at the child's local council; concerns about an adult at risk go to the local council's adult social care team. You do not need proof: GOV.UK says it is OK to report a suspicion. The Lift College Safeguarding Adults Level 3 course covers acting on concerns and what happens after a report.
What counts as a safeguarding concern
A safeguarding concern is a worry that a child, or an adult with care and support needs, is being abused or neglected, or is at risk of it. It could come from something you see, such as an injury or a change in behaviour, something you are told, or a pattern of small things. The statutory guidance for adults says to look beyond single incidents to identify patterns of harm.
Step by step
1. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. 2. Tell your safeguarding lead without delay. In schools and colleges this is the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or a deputy. In care services it is usually the manager or safeguarding lead named in your policy. 3. Listen, and do not promise secrecy. Keeping children safe in education says staff should never promise a child that they will not tell anyone about a report of abuse, and should only involve those who need to be involved. 4. Write it down. Record what you saw or were told, with the date and time. Keeping children safe in education asks that every concern record includes a summary, actions taken, decisions made, the reasons for them and any outcomes. 5. Do not assume someone else will act. If your lead is not available, take advice from a senior manager or the council rather than wait.
Reporting a concern about a child
GOV.UK says that if you are worried a child is at risk or being abused, contact the children's social care team at their local council. You can choose not to share your own details. Call 999 if the child is at immediate risk, or 101 to report a crime that is not an emergency. The council may gather more information, ask a social worker to look into it, or contact the police. GOV.UK has an online tool that finds the right council contact.
Reporting a concern about an adult
GOV.UK says to contact the local council if you think someone is at risk or being abused, including someone not being treated properly in a care home or mistreated by a carer, and to contact the police if you think a crime has been committed. For care in an NHS hospital or clinic, contact the manager of the hospital or clinic.
What a section 42 enquiry is
Under section 42 of the Care Act 2014, a local authority must make, or cause to be made, whatever enquiries it thinks necessary when it has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in its area has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves because of those needs. The local authority is the lead agency for these enquiries and coordinates them, though it may ask others, such as a professional who knows the adult, to carry them out. Councils in England started an estimated 185,270 section 42 enquiries in the year to 31 March 2025.
Concerns about a member of staff
Concerns or allegations about someone who works with children go through your organisation's procedure and, where they may meet the harm threshold, to the local authority designated officer (LADO). If you cannot raise a concern internally, school and college staff can call the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line on 0800 028 0285.
Training
Lift College Safeguarding Adults Level 3 is 8 hours in 10 modules for registered and senior staff who act on concerns, with a CPD Standards Office accredited certificate the same day you pass. For anyone who meets both children and adults at work, Safeguarding Adults and Children Training covers recognising and reporting concerns for both.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a safeguarding concern?
Who do you report safeguarding concerns to?
Who is responsible for coordinating safeguarding enquiries?
What is a section 42 safeguarding enquiry?
Do I need proof to report a safeguarding concern?
Can I report a safeguarding concern anonymously?
Sources checked
- GOV.UK: Report child abuse (checked 11 November 2026)
- GOV.UK: Report abuse of an older person (checked 11 November 2026)
- legislation.gov.uk: Care Act 2014, section 42 (checked 11 November 2026)
- GOV.UK: Care and support statutory guidance (Care Act 2014) (checked 11 November 2026)
- GOV.UK: Safeguarding adults, England, 2024 to 2025 (checked 11 November 2026)
- GOV.UK: Keeping children safe in education 2026 (checked 11 November 2026)
- GOV.UK: Keeping children safe in education 2026, part one overview for all staff (checked 11 November 2026)
- Lift College: Safeguarding Adults Level 3 (checked 11 November 2026)