When someone reports harm to Social Work, the law says they must find out what has happened. If needed, Social Work will offer support to keep you safe.
When you can refuse help
You can refuse help, unless:
- someone is telling you not to take help
- you may not be able to make decisions - this means that other people can make decisions for you
- other people are also being harmed
When Social Work visit you
Some people may worry about answering questions because of what they think might happen.
At the start of the visit Social Work will tell you that you don’t have to answer questions. It is important that you let them know what you think and what might help you.
Social Work will tell you about services that might help you keep safe.
If you want to find out who reported a concern
Social Work may be able to tell you this.
They may not be able to tell you, if the person has made an anonymous report or there are other reasons. Anonymous means they won’t have said their name.
Get support answering questions
An advocate is a person who supports you to speak up about things that are important to you. Social work will arrange an advocate if you want this.
You have the right to have someone to support you. This could be an advocate, or a friend or family member.
Adult Case Conferences
An Adult Case Conference is a meeting for you about the harm that has happened. Everyone at the meeting will agree how to stop the harm and keep you safe. You do not have to attend, but it is helpful for people to understand what has happened.
At the meeting there will be people from organisations who can support and protect you. The person who harmed you will not be at the meeting.
You do not have to talk at the meeting, but it would be helpful to know what you think. You could write your views to Social Work and let them read it out for you.
If you have questions
You should ask Social Work, your advocate or the person who is supporting you at meetings.
After the meeting
Social Work will keep in touch.
There will be another meeting in three months’ time to check that:
- the plan is working
- you are safe
- the harm is not happening anymore
This is called a Review Case Conference.
You don’t need to wait for the review if the harm has started again.
Tell Social Work or someone who knows the plan so you can get more support quickly.