This chapter provides outline information for practitioners on what to do if they have a concern about an adult outside of office hours.
RELEVANT SECTION
CONTENTS
1. Making a Safeguarding Referral to the Local Authority
When an adult is experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect but there is no immediate risk of harm, the practitioner should follow their own local processes for raising concerns. This could either mean they contact the local authority safeguarding adults team themselves or they share their concerns with the safeguarding adults lead in their organisation, who will then make the referral to the local authority safeguarding adults team.
However, if there is concern that immediate action is required or there is an urgent risk, a referral should be made to the local authority’s Out of Hours Team (adults) without delay. Where it is suspected a crime has been committed the police should also be contacted.
Details of all actions taken should be recorded on the adult’s case file / record.
2. Taking Immediate Action to Protect an Adult
If the Out of Hours Team receive a referral which indicates that there is an immediate or urgent risk to an adult, the worker receiving the referral must take all steps necessary to protect the adult. This includes arranging emergency medical treatment, contacting the police (by telephoning 999) and taking any other action to ensure the adult is safe. See Safeguarding Enquiries Process.
3. Case Recording and Handover
The Out of Hours Team worker should record details of the concerns on the adult’s electronic social care record. The worker will also pass all necessary information to the relevant team in adult social care before the end of their shift. If the adult is already known to the local authority, the out of hours worker will notify their allocated worker.
See also Case Recording chapter.
