When to report
Check whether the person is in immediate danger or in need of immediate assistance.
If a person is in immediate danger, then call 999 to request urgent assistance or advice.
If the person is not in immediate danger
You should ask them to tell you what happened, or raise your concerns if these are observed. It is important that you do not probe with too many questions. You should listen to what they need to tell you encouraging and supporting as required.
You also need to be aware that they may not want to discuss the issues or may minimise them. This does not affect your responsibility to report and to seek medical assessment where appropriate.
Talking to the person about your concerns
You should if possible, let the person know that you need to tell someone else so that you can get them help and ensure that the harm, mistreatment and or neglect is stopped.
The person may not want you to report the issues. You will need to explain that you have a duty of care to ensure they are safeguarded from harm. Again, if you are unable to have this conversation this should not prevent you from reporting the concern. It is for specially trained professionals to determine what and if something needs to be followed up.
Capturing information
You should write down what you have heard or observed as soon as possible.
If you're a manager, you should complete any internal alert or a reporting form.
How to report a concern
You should contact your immediate line manager to report the concern. If your manager is absent, you should contact another manager within your service.
The absence of your immediate manager should not delay the reporting of the concern.
If this is not possible for whatever reason you should ring the Single Access Point and tell them you need to report a concern about an adult.
The Single Access Point will take the details of your concern and liaise as required with the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
Normal working hours (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Telephone: 0303 333 3001
Email: AccessTeam@dumgal.gov.uk
Outside of normal working hours
Telephone: 01387 273660
Email: socialworkoutofhours@dumgal.gov.uk
Complete a AP1 referral form
The referral should include:
- the name of the Single Access Point you have spoken to
- all the information you have gathered - do not let a lack of information delay submitting the referral.
The completed AP1 form should be forwarded as soon as possible within 24 hours.
If you're a manager, you should make sure the details of the concern and response are recorded in your own case recording system.
After you have submitted a referral
Receipt of referral will be sent within 24 hours and feedback will be provided within five working days.
The Single Access Point:
- will forward the concern to either the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or the relevant team
- may contact you if they require further information
If you have further information
You should contact the Single Access Point who may request a further AP1 to be completed.
Supporting the person who made the referral
If you're a manager, you should check that the staff member raising the concern is supported and can discuss the impact this has had on them.
Multi-agency guidance
This protocol is for providers reporting concerns about an adult when harm, mistreatment or neglect is suspected or alleged. It is aligned to and should be read in conjunction with the:
Dumfries and Galloway multi-agency adult support and protection guidance