Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

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.