Are you worried about an adult?

Some people may not always be able to protect themselves from abuse or neglect due to having care or support needs.

An adult at risk may be a person who:

• is elderly and frail due to ill health, physical disability, or cognitive impairment
• has a learning disability
• has a physical disability and/or sensory impairment
• has mental health needs
• has a long-term illness or condition
• misuses substances or alcohol
• is a carer (such as family members and friends)
• is unable to demonstrate the capacity to make a decision and is in need of care and support
• is unable to communicate

Forms of abuse include:

• physical
• sexual
• psychological or emotional
• financial or material
• discriminatory
• neglect and acts of omission
• organisational or institutional
• domestic violence
• modern slavery

Adults can be more at risk of abuse when they live:

• alone
• have care and support needs
• depend on others, for example to manage their money
• find it difficult to communicate

Abuse can occur in a variety of different settings, some examples are:

• care homes
• public places
• day centres
• the adult's home
• hospitals

Anyone can be an abuser, it could be a:

• friend
• family member
• a professional
• volunteer
• neighbour
• care worker
• Tradesperson

If you are being abused or at risk of harm or are concerned that someone you know may be at risk of harm you should speak to someone about it as soon as possible and when it is safe to do so.

If immediate help is needed dial 999 without delay. If a crime has been committed but immediate help is not required, please dial 101.

To report a concern, please call Delta Wellbeing on 0300 333 2222 (available 24hrs, 7 days a week) or complete the online referral form.

Safeguarding enquiries will be handled as sensitively as possible.

The views and wishes of the adult at risk will be central to the enquiry and any necessary safeguarding action.

Report a concern

We have a duty to manage allegations and concerns about any person who works with children and young people and adults at risk in their area. Certain job roles which involve a person working directly with children or adults at risk means they are considered a Practitioner/Person in a Position of Trust. This includes Council staff, staff of partner agencies, service providers and volunteers.

We must be notified when there are concerns that a person who works with children or adults at risk has:

• Behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child or adult at risk.
• May have committed a criminal offence against a child or adult at risk or that has a direct impact on the child or adult at risk
• Behaved towards a child, children or adults at risk in a way that indicates they are unsuitable to work with both children and adults

To report your concerns call Delta Wellbeing on 0300 333 2222 (available 24hrs, 7 days a week) or report your concerns online.

If immediate help is needed dial 999 without delay. If a crime has been committed but immediate help is not required, please dial 101.

If you wish to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer for Adults (LADO) or the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) by email.

Report a concern

If you are concerned that a care or support service provider, such as a care home, is not providing safe services to people with care and support needs, and you are concerned that people using the service are experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, you must report this to us.

To report  a service concern you can use the online form or you can call Delta Wellbeing on 0300 333 2222 (available 24hrs, 7 days a week). 

If immediate help is needed dial 999 without delay. If a crime has been committed but immediate help is not required, please dial 101. 

If your concern does not relate to a safeguarding matter but you wish to make a complaint about a service provider you can visit Social Care Complaints & Compliments  for more information.

report a concern

If you are a professional/practitioner working with adults at risk and have reasonable cause to suspect that someone is being abused or neglected or at risk of abuse or neglect please report your concerns using the link below, or contact the adult safeguarding team for advice. In the interim please take whatever action you feel is appropriate to safeguard the person and accurately record your decisions and actions.

The Safeguarding Team is available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays, via email: adultsafeguarding@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

If immediate help is needed dial 999 without delay. If a crime has been committed but immediate help is not required, please dial 101.

For guidance, please refer to the Wales Safeguarding procedures: Wales Safeguarding Procedures

Report a concern (MARF)