Safeguarding Adults: what the latest national data tells us
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NHS Digital has published its annual statistics on safeguarding activity in England, covering April 2023 to March 2024. The report shines a light on the scale of safeguarding work and where the greatest risks to adults are being identified.
Rising safeguarding concerns
During the year, councils received around 615,500 safeguarding concerns – a 5% increase on the previous year. While the rate of growth has slowed slightly compared to 2022–23, the figures confirm that safeguarding continues to be a growing part of social care practice.
Of these concerns, about 176,500 Section 42 enquiries were started under the Care Act duty to make formal enquiries. This involved over 141,000 individuals, a 3% rise from the year before. A further 15,500 other enquiries were recorded where concerns did not meet the statutory threshold but still needed a response.
What types of risk are most common?
The data shows that neglect and acts of omission were the most frequent risks identified in closed Section 42 cases, making up around a third (32%) of all outcomes. This highlights the importance of basic care standards – making sure medication is given correctly, personal care needs are met, and people are not left without essentials.
Where are people most at risk?
Perhaps most strikingly, almost half (46%) of safeguarding risks took place in the person’s own home. This underlines how safeguarding isn’t just about care homes or hospitals – it’s just as much about what happens in domestic and community settings.
Why this matters for practice
For frontline workers, the report is a reminder that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Concerns are increasing year on year, and the risks we need to be alert to often happen in ordinary settings, behind closed doors. Recognising signs of neglect, taking concerns seriously, and acting quickly can make all the difference.
Final thought
The national figures confirm what many workers already feel in day-to-day practice: safeguarding is rising in volume and complexity. But the message is clear – by staying alert, communicating well, and acting with professional curiosity, we can protect adults from neglect and harm, wherever it occurs.