Exam Pass Notes

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Recognition

• Adult safeguarding concerns include abuse, neglect, exploitation, coercion, self-neglect, domestic abuse and modern slavery.
• Concerns can arise from phone calls, online requests, carers, missed appointments, proxy access, safe-contact issues or routine admin work.
• Signs such as fear, control, dependency, repeated missed care and unsafe communication indicate potential risk.
• You do not need to prove abuse before raising a concern through the practice process.

Response

• Listen calmly, avoid showing shock or blame and do not promise confidentiality you cannot keep.
• Ask only enough questions to establish immediate safety and the appropriate route for the concern.
• Do not confront relatives, carers or alleged abusers if this could increase risk to the adult.
• Contact emergency services if there is immediate danger or urgent clinical risk.

Recording and Sharing

• Record the adult's exact words, factual details, observations, who was present and any actions taken.
• Distinguish clearly between what you observed or were told and your interpretation.
• Protect safe-contact details, proxy access and controls on online record visibility.
• Share relevant information via established safeguarding routes; confidentiality should not prevent sharing where there is risk.

Escalation and Culture

• Use the practice safeguarding lead, duty clinician, manager and local authority routes for escalation.
• Challenge decisions respectfully if a concern is minimised or responsibility is unclear.
• Practices should keep safeguarding routes visible and offer support to staff after difficult contacts.
• Learning from incidents should improve systems, records, safe-contact arrangements and staff confidence.