Safeguarding atBron Afon Housing.

Reporting a Safeguarding Issue 

1. If there is a child or adult in immediate danger or a crime has been committed it’s  

important you phone the Police on 999 as an emergency  

2. You can report your concerns directly to your local authority Safeguarding and Adult or Child Team here

Torfaen Tel: 01495 762200 Email: socialcarecalltorfaen@torfaen.gov.uk  

After 5pm and on weekends and bank holidays please contact the South East Wales Emergency Duty Team on 0800 328 4432 

3. You can also alert us to your concerns by contacting us using the following details  :

Please contact the Customer Hub | cynorthwyydd hwb cwsmeriaid 

On 01633 620 111 to report a concern or if you have a query and a member of the team will get back to you.  

What happens when you report a Safeguarding concern? 

We will carry out an investigation. This will involve checking our records, speaking with colleagues and partner agencies in order to determine the most appropriate course of action, guidance  and/or support required.  

Types of Abuse (Children)  

A child is classed as a person under the age of 18 years. 

Physical Abuse 

Physical abuse is when someone hurts a child or young person on purpose. 

Examples include:

• hitting, slapping, shaking or throwing 

• burning or scalding 

• drowning, suffocating or choking 

• pushing or kicking 

• inappropriate restraint or false imprisonment 

• using physical force to discipline 

• misusing medication 

• fabricating or inducing an illness or ill health 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• unexplained recurrent injuries, marks or burns 

• covering injuries with clothing even in hot weather 

• fear of physical contact and shrinking back if touched 

• untreated medical injuries 

• unexplained weight loss 

Sexual abuse 

Sexual abuse is when a child is forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities. 

The abuse may be committed by adult men and women, or by other children. 

• causing or inciting a child to watch or engage in sexual activities 

• encouraging a child to behave in sexually inappropriate ways 

• involving a child in looking at sexual images or videos 

• involving a child in the production of sexual images or videos 

• grooming a child in preparation for abuse 

 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, overdoses or anorexia 

• personality changes such as becoming isolated or withdrawn 

• medical problems – STIs 

• change in behaviour 

Emotional Abuse 

The ongoing emotional maltreatment of a child. 

Examples include; 

• being made to feel inadequate, worthless or unloved 

• being unfairly blamed 

• being bullied, including over the internet (cyber-bullying) 

• being made to feel frightened or in danger 

• witnessing the abuse of others 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• reduced physical, mental and emotional development 

• low self esteem and lack of self confidence 

• inappropriate response to pain 

• self harm 

• struggle to control emotions eg extreme anger, agitation, or being very tearful 

Neglect 

Neglect is when a child or young person’s basic needs are persistently not being met by their parent or guardian. 

These basic needs include; 

• adequate food, clothing and shelter 

• protection from physical and emotional harm or danger 

• adequate supervision (including not being left at home alone) 

• access to appropriate medical care including dental treatment

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• constant hunger or tiredness 

• poor personal hygiene 

• poor condition and cleanliness of clothing 

• untreated medical problems 

• no social relationships 

Financial Abuse  

Financial abuse is any theft or misuse of a persons money property or resources by a person in a position of trust  

Types of financial abuse,  

• Child workers without pay.  

• Childs possessions sold or missing.  

• Misuse of allowances/ grants for children’s care  

• EMA taken by family without child’s consent.  

Indicators of financial abuse involving a child  

• Not meeting their needs for care and support which are supported through direct payments 

• Lack of amenities in the home such as TV, clothing  

• Complaints that personal property is missing  

Types of Abuse (Adult) 

Adult at risk  

An adult at risk is classed as a person aged over 18 years of age. Who is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect and has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs) and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect or the risk of it (Social Services Wellbeing Act 2014) 

An adult with care and support needs is a person over 18 years of age who:   • has a learning disability;• has mental health needs including dementia or personality disorder;• has a long term illness;• has a physical disability;• misuses alcohol or drugs;• is elderly and frail due to ill health, disability or cognitive impairment; and• requires extra help to manage their lives and to be independent 

Discrimination 

Exists when values, beliefs or culture result in a misuse of power that denies mainstream opportunities to some groups or individuals. It includes discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, sexuality, disability or religion. 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• Name-calling 

• verbal or physical abuse in public places or residential settings 

• hate mail 

• cyber-bullying 

• bogus calls 

• criminal damage to property 

• target of burglary 

 

Domestic Abuse 

An incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between people that are or have been intimate partners or family members. This is regardless of gender or sexuality.  

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• Verbal abuse constantly aimed at another 

• shouting and threats with angry gestures 

• physical violence 

• blocking or monitoring communications 

• isolation from friends and/or family 

• Police call outs 

• noise nuisance complaints 

• neighbours reporting concerns 

 

Emotional or Psychological 

Is as damaging as physical abuse, and can severely impact someone’s mental health. It’s often used as a way to maintain power and control over someone. Emotional abuse may be accompanied by other kinds of abuse but is serious enough on its own to be a concern. 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• humiliating 

• blaming 

• controlling 

• intimidating or harassing 

• anxiety 

• nervous behaviour 

• low self-esteem or lack self-assurance 

• struggle to control emotions – tearfulness, agitation,  

• unexplained paranoia 

• gaslighting 

• isolation 

 

Financial or Economical 

A way of controlling a person’s ability to acquire, use and maintain their own money and financial resources. 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• existing or increase in rent arrears 

• limiting access to bank accounts or cards 

• sabotaging future earnings - e.g. hiding car keys and making someone late for work 

• unusual financial interest by family or carer 

• abuse of joint/shared accounts 

• personal items missing from the home 

 

Modern Day Slavery 

Encompasses slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. Traffickers and slave drivers coerce, deceive and force individuals against their will into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.  

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• unusually fearful or anxious behaviour 

• seems under the control of others 

• has few or no personal belongings 

• has no control of own money 

• over-crowded, cramped living conditions,  

• living and working at the same place 

• a number of unrelated (or unnamed on tenancy) people living at one address 

Organisational or Institutional 

Where an institution is not meeting the care and support needs of others e.g. Care Home, Police, Local Authority, Social Services. 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• lack of flexibility and choice for people using the service 

• few social, recreational and educational activities 

• inadequate staffing levels 

• poor standards of care 

• lack of adequate procedures 

• poor record-keeping 

• missing documents and individual care plans 

• absence of visitors 

• lack of management overview and support 

 

Physical 

Actual or likely physical injury to a person or failure to prevent physical injury or suffering to a person e.g. hitting, burning, shaking, etc.  

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• unexplained minor injuries at different stages of healing 

• hitting, slapping, pushing, pinching, shaking, scalding 

• untreated medical problems 

• unexplained weight loss or gain 

• being denied food, water or medications 

• inappropriate or unlawful use of restraint 

• unexplained falls 

• unauthorised restraint 

• restricting/limiting movement 

 

Sexual 

Any behaviour thought to be of a sexual nature which is unwanted and takes place without consent. Sexual violence and abuse can be physical, psychological, verbal or online. 

 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• indecent exposure 

• sexual harassment 

• inappropriate looking or touching 

• sexual teasing or innuendo 

• sexual photography 

• being forced to watch pornography or sexual acts 

• being forced or pressured to take part in sexual acts 

• rape 

 

Neglect/Acts of Omission 

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet the basic physical and/or psychological needs of a child or adult, which is likely to result in damage to the person’s health and/or development. It can include ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to 
appropriate health, care and support or educational services. It can also involve withholding the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating. 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• ignoring medical or physical care needs 

• failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services 

• the withholding of the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition, and heating 

• poor quality living environments 

• poor environment – dirty or unhygienic 

• poor personal health and hygiene 

• pressure sores or ulcers 

• unexplained weight loss, malnutrition or dehydrationu 

• untreated injuries and medical problems 

• inconsistent or reluctant contact with medical and social care organisations 

• accumulation of untaken medication, or refusal to take medications 

• uncharacteristic failure to engage in social interaction 

• inappropriate or inadequate clothing for the environment 

• poor heating 

 

Self-Neglect 

Self-Neglect is any failure of an adult to take care of themselves that causes, or is reasonably likely to cause serious physical, mental or emotional harm or substantial damage to or loss of assets. When a person being unable, or unwilling, to care for their own essential 
needs. It can cover a wide range of behaviour including neglecting personal hygiene, health or surroundings, refusal of necessary support or obsessive hoarding. 

Possible Signs/Symptoms:- 

• hoarding 

• poor personal health and hygiene 

• unkempt appearance 

• lack of essential food, clothing or shelter 

• unexplained weight loss, malnutrition or dehydration 

• living in unsanitary or poor conditions 

• neglecting household maintenance 

• collecting a large number of animals in inappropriate conditions 

• non-compliance with health or care services 

• accumulation of untaken medication, or refusal to take medications