Recognising thresholds
Most safeguarding decisions are not about whether something is abuse. They are about whether what you have seen meets the threshold for action — and which action.
Three useful frames
1. The "is it abuse?" frame. Abuse can be physical, sexual, psychological, financial, neglect, modern slavery, discriminatory, organisational, domestic, self-neglect, or radicalisation. If what you have seen sits inside any of those categories, it is at least worth a safeguarding conversation with your lead.
2. The "does it affect their wellbeing?" frame. Adult-safeguarding frameworks in most jurisdictions ask whether the person:
- has needs for care and support,
- is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and
- is unable to protect themselves because of those needs.
All three together = adult safeguarding. Apply your country's specific test.
3. The "child at risk" frame. Apply your country's child protection thresholds. Where a child or young person is involved — directly or indirectly (e.g. as a child witnessing domestic abuse) — the threshold for action is lower than for adults, and the urgency is higher.
Common threshold scenarios
| Scenario | Threshold | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Adult with capacity discloses ongoing emotional abuse from partner | Adult safeguarding (concern) | Discuss with safeguarding lead same day; offer info on local service; respect choices around onward action where there is no risk to others |
| Older adult with cognitive decline, family member managing money, signs of financial exploitation | Adult safeguarding (referral) | Escalate to safeguarding lead immediately; do not confront the family member |
| Person mentions a child in the home is being shouted at, hit, or witnessing violence | Children's safeguarding (referral) | Same-day escalation through your local children's safeguarding route |
| Person discloses past abuse, no current risk | Support, not safeguarding referral | Acknowledge, validate, signpost to specialist support, document |
| Person says "I sometimes wish I didn't wake up" — no plan, no intent | Mental health concern, not immediate emergency | Stay with the conversation, ask directly about plan/intent, escalate to clinician same day |
| Person says "I have a plan to end my life today" | Immediate risk | Local emergency services / clinical supervisor / mental health crisis pathway. Do not leave the person alone. |
These are illustrative — always defer to your local safeguarding policy and your safeguarding lead's judgement.
When in doubt
- Don't try to work out the threshold alone. Call your safeguarding lead.
- Record everything — what was said, in what words, by whom, what you did.
- Don't promise confidentiality you cannot keep. A simple line: "What you tell me stays between us — unless I'm worried for your safety or someone else's, and then I'd need to tell my supervisor."
Look after yourself
Difficult cases sit with you. Use clinical supervision and the Reflection tool. Process — don't compartmentalise.
Linked competencies
- Obligation to safeguard individuals from harm (Domain 4)
- Confidently approaches difficult conversations (Domain 1).