Care glossary · Rights and legal
Safeguarding: what it means
Protecting adults at risk from abuse or neglect; councils lead enquiries when concerns are raised.
Anyone can report a concern to the council's adult safeguarding team. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Concerns about a care service can also be shared with CQC.
Other words to know
- Care Act 2014: The law that sets out councils' duties for adult social care in England.
- Inadequate (CQC rating): The service is performing badly and CQC has taken, or will take, action.
Questions about safeguarding
- How do I report a safeguarding concern about a carer?
- How do I report abuse or neglect in a care home?
- What if my parent does not want me to report abuse?
- What does safeguarding mean in adult social care?
- Can a care worker be barred from working with vulnerable adults?
- What happens after a safeguarding referral is made?
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Free printable: 40 things to check in a care home
Forty questions on staffing, daily life, rooms, fees and the contract, laid out so you can compare three homes.
More in Rights and legal
Care Act 2014 · Carer's assessment · Care plan · Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) · Deputyship (Court of Protection) · Mental Capacity Act 2005 · Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) · Advance decision and advance statement
Data: CQC register, Oct 2026, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. We are an independent directory and do not provide care.