All about: Safeguarding
Report neglect or abuse of an adult (safeguarding concern)
If you or someone you know is being abused or neglected, you can contact Kingston Council at any time.
If someone is in danger of being hurt right now, call the police on 999. If you want to report any other type of crime call 101.
For more information on how to report a safeguarding concern in Kingston, please visit the the Kingston Council website where you can make a report as a member of the public, or as a professional.
Or, you can call the Kingston Adult Social Care Team during office hours on 020 8547 5005 and after 5pm please call 020 8770 5000. For Bank Holidays please call 020 8770 5000.
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
Those most in need of protection include:
- Children and young people
- Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities.
Local authorities have duties under the law towards people who are experiencing abuse or neglect or are at risk of either.
What do abuse and neglect mean?
Abuse can mean:
- Physical abuse
- Domestic abuse. This can include psychological and emotional abuse
- Psychological abuse. This can include humiliating you, isolating you, bullying you – either in person or online
- Financial abuse. This can include having your money or possessions stolen or misused, or coercing you into a financial arrangement
- Sexual abuse
- Discriminatory abuse
- Organisational or institutional abuse. This can include abuse in a hospital, care home or workplace
Neglect can mean:
- Ignoring medical, physical or emotional care needs
- Failing to provide you with access to health, care and support or educational services
- Withholding necessities of life, such as food, medication and heating
Self-neglect. This can cover a wide range of behaviours, such as neglecting your personal hygiene, health or surroundings. It can also include behaviours such as hoarding
Adult Safeguarding Easy Read Documents:
Concerned about a child?
If the person is under 18, or there’s a child at risk too, contact the children's safeguarding team. You may be concerned about the child's developmental needs, issues that the parent/carer is experiencing, or you may suspect a child is being neglected or subjected to abuse.
Concerned about someone's mental health?
If somebody is in crisis or in immediate danger of hurting themselves or someone else call 0800 028 8000 to speak to Kingston's mental health crisis line.
London Safeguarding Voices (LSV)
LSV brings together three people with lived experience of Safeguarding from each London borough. LSV ensures that people with real lived experience of safeguarding are at the heart of London's safeguarding policies and procedures governance.
Healthwatch Kingston has been commissioned by the London Safeguarding Adults Board to coordinate the LSV work programme:
The London Safeguarding Adult Board Conference
Healthwatch Kingston work with London ADASS to develop the annual London Safeguarding Conference held during National Safeguarding Awareness Week in November.
Find out about last year's event, and view previous safeguarding themed presentation slides and videos using the link below:
The London Safeguarding Adult Board Conference 2023 - Recordings and Presentation Slides
The London Safeguarding Adult Board Conference 2024 - Presentation Slides
We will continue support for the London Safeguarding Adults Board Conference Planning Group, working to ensure people with experience of safeguarding services are integral to safeguarding systems and processes across London.
Our work ensures the voices of people with lived experience of safeguarding help shape services for the better.
Making Safeguarding Personal
What is Making Safeguarding Personal? Making Safeguarding Personal in its simplest form means putting the person at the centre of everything during a safeguarding enquiry from the very beginning to the very end. It is about engaging with people throughout the safeguarding process, considering the outcomes they want.
Your voice matters.
Find out more about the work we are doing to make safeguarding personal
