A sign of suspected abuse or neglect that is reported to the local authority or identified by the local authority. The collection captures information about concerns that were raised during the reporting year, that is, the date the concern was raised with the local authority falls within the reporting year, regardless of the date the incident took place. Safeguarding concerns can include cases of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, modern slavery and self-neglect.

A sign of suspected abuse or neglect that is reported to the local authority or identified by the local authority. Safeguarding concerns can include cases of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, modern slavery and self-neglect.

For the purposes of this guideline, a safeguarding concern is defined as a consideration, suspicion or indication of abuse or neglect of a resident, or residents within a care home. Anybody who works in, lives in or visits the home may have a safeguarding concern, either because of something they have seen or because of something they were told. All safeguarding concerns should be responded to in line with this guideline. Note that this definition relates to concerns in care home settings. For a more general definition, see the Local Government Association and ADASS definition in their report on understanding what constitutes a safeguarding concern.