Safeguarding in Housing: What It Means and How We Respond

Important Information

This guidance is for general information only. If you're experiencing urgent housing issues, contact your local authority housing team or emergency services immediately. For specific legal advice, consult a qualified housing solicitor.

What Safeguarding Means

Safeguarding protects vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and harm. In housing, this includes:

Types of Harm We Watch For

✅ Physical abuse - unexplained injuries, fear of certain people ✅ Financial abuse - unexplained poverty, coercion over money
✅ Emotional abuse - isolation, extreme anxiety, controlling relationships ✅ Neglect - poor personal care, inadequate heating/food, health needs ignored ✅ Sexual abuse - inappropriate sexual contact or coercion

How We Keep Residents Safe

Early Recognition

Our staff are trained to spot:

Changes in behaviour or appearance
Signs of distress or withdrawal
Unexplained injuries or marks
Financial difficulties or coercion
Deteriorating home conditions

Immediate Response

✅ 24/7 safeguarding helpline for urgent concerns ✅ Trained safeguarding officers in all areas ✅ Multi-agency coordination with social services, police, health ✅ Safety planning with residents and families ✅ Documentation of all concerns and actions

Partner Working

Our resident support service coordinates with:

Adult social care teams
NHS community health services
Police safeguarding units
Mental health crisis teams
Substance misuse services

Raising Concerns

If you're worried about a resident: ✅ Call immediately for urgent safety concerns ✅ Document what you've observed ✅ Don't investigate yourself - leave to professionals ✅ Support the person without making promises about confidentiality ✅ Follow up to ensure action has been taken

Professional referrers can access our safeguarding protocols through tenant support services.

For safeguarding guidance and procedures, see gov.uk adult safeguarding information.