What Should I Do If I Am Worried About Someone's Safety?

              

What Should I Do If I Am Worried About Someone's Safety?

If you’re worried about someone’s safety, it’s really important to act quickly. Waiting too long could make things worse for that person. You don’t need to be completely sure that something bad is happening; just having a good reason to be concerned is enough to take action.

• In an Emergency: If you think someone is in immediate danger or you see a crime in progress, call emergency services right away by dialling 999. Your first priority is to make sure the person is safe.
• For Non-Urgent Concerns: If the situation isn’t an emergency but still feels off, it’s important to let someone know. If you work or volunteer somewhere, follow your organisation’s rules for reporting concerns. Talk to your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or someone trained to handle these issues.
• If you're Not Part of an Organisation: Contact your local authority's social care team, which looks after children or adults, depending on the person's age. You can also call the non-emergency police number, 101, to share your worries.
• Helpful Hotlines: If you’re worried about a child, you can call the NSPCC Helpline at 0808 800 5000 for confidential support and advice. 
  For concerns about older adults, the Hourglass helpline at 0808 808 8141 can offer help and advice on protecting seniors.

What to Do and What to Avoid

• Don’t Investigate: Avoid looking into the situation yourself. Doing so could mess up any official investigations that might come later.
• Avoid Promising Privacy: Be honest with the person you're worried about; don’t promise to keep their information secret. Explain that you might need to share what they tell you with the right authorities to help keep them safe.
• Take Notes: Write down what you observe in detail. Record dates, times, places, and specific details about any events or conversations in a clear and factual way. This information can be really important later.
• Talk to Them: If it’s safe, consider having a conversation with the person you’re worried about. Listen to what they have to say without judging them, and create a supportive space for them to share their feelings and experiences.
• If You Need to Go Further: If you report your concerns but feel they aren’t being taken seriously, don’t hesitate to ask for more help. You can contact independent advice services like Protect, which helps with whistleblowing, or reach out to local authorities or regulatory bodies, like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for care services or Ofsted for schools. Taking these steps can help make sure that the person you care about gets the support they need.