We all have a right to live a life free from abuse and neglect.
Safeguarding prevents and reduces the risk of harm to adults and children from abuse or neglect and supports them to maintain control over their lives, enabling them to make informed decisions without coercion.
Safeguarding is recognised as a key responsibility of local authorities, but it is everybody’s responsibility and as neighbours, residents, and community members we all need to be alert to neglect and abuse and report our concerns.
The Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk policy sets out how we will meet our obligations to safeguard children and adults at risk and it applies to staff, agency workers, volunteers and contractors employed by us and councillors working on behalf of the Council.
Reporting a safeguarding concern
A safeguarding concern is when a person is concerned about someone’s wellbeing maybe someone is at risk of abuse, neglect, harm or exploitation. If you are concerned, please report it using one of these options:
In an emergency, please dial 999 for the police.
For a child - call 0300 470 9100 or e-mail cspa@surreycc.gov.uk (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). Visit Surrey Children’s Services website for guidance and additional information.
For an adult - call 0300 470 9100 or e-mail ascmash@surreycc.gov.uk (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). Visit Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board website for guidance and additional information.
Concerns of domestic abuse
Call the Surrey Domestic Abuse Helpline on 01483 776822. They are available seven days a week between 9am to 9pm.
Call East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS) on 01737 771350 from 9am to 4pm, text 07860 039720 or e-mail support@ESDAS.org.uk.
When these services are closed, please call 01483 517898.
To report a suicide risk - call the Surrey and Borders Mental Health Crisis Helpline on 0800 9154644 (SMS for deaf and hard of hearing: 07717 989 024, SMS text relay: 18001 0800 915 4644).
Visit Surrey County Council's website for additional information on how to make a referral and what happens once you've made one.