What is safeguarding adults? Brief Guide (2025)

Introduction

Safeguarding adults is about people and organisations working together to stop abuse and/or neglect happening to adults who are less able to protect themselves.

Abuse means being treated badly. It can happen in lots of different ways, including physical, sexual, financial, discriminatory and domestic abuse, along with modern slavery, neglect and self-neglect.

This brief guide explains some of the ways that people might be abused and what to do if you have concerns.