What is safeguarding in care homes? It means protecting residents from abuse, neglect or harm. This blog explains your rights, staff responsibilities, legal duties and how to spot and report concerns, giving families and carers the knowledge to help keep loved ones safe, respected and well cared for at all times.
Understanding Safeguarding in Care Homes
What is safeguarding in care homes?
Safeguarding means protecting people who may be at risk of harm, such as abuse, neglect or poor treatment. In care homes, it is about keeping residents safe while treating them with respect and dignity. The Care Act 2014 makes it a legal duty for care providers to do this.
Safeguarding is not just about stopping harm. It also involves helping people make choices, feel heard, and live as independently as possible.
In a care home, safeguarding includes:
- Spotting and reporting any signs of abuse or neglect
- Supporting residents to speak up when something feels wrong
- Acting quickly and clearly when concerns are raised
- Creating a safe space where people feel cared for and respected
- Involving families and carers in decisions when appropriate
Types of harm that safeguarding protects against:
- Physical abuse, like hitting or rough handling
- Emotional abuse, such as threats, shouting or ignoring someone
- Financial abuse, including theft or misuse of money
- Neglect, such as missed medication, poor hygiene or lack of food
Every resident has the right to live without fear or mistreatment. Safeguarding makes that possible by protecting people and supporting their right to live safely.
Legal Framework Governing Safeguarding
Safeguarding in care homes is not optional. It is a legal duty under UK law. The Care Act 2014 is the main legislation that sets out how local councils and care providers must protect adults who are at risk of abuse, neglect or poor treatment.
The 6 Principles of Safeguarding in Care Homes
The Care Act introduced six key principles to guide safeguarding practice
- Empowerment: Support people to make their own choices
- Prevention: Act early to reduce the risk of harm
- Proportionality: Respond in a way that matches the risk
- Protection: Support those who need help the most
- Partnership: Work with families and agencies
- Accountability: Be clear about responsibilities and actions taken
These principles help make sure that action is taken in the right way and that the person’s wishes are always considered.
Other Relevant Laws
In addition to the Care Act, several other laws support safeguarding:
- Mental Capacity Act 2005: supports decision-making for people who may not fully understand their choices
- Human Rights Act 1998: protects the right to safety, dignity, and freedom from abuse
- Children Act 1989/2004: relevant when young people live in care settings
Together, these laws help make safeguarding in a care home a legal duty, not just a policy.
Who Regulates Safeguarding in Care Homes?
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The CQC is the independent regulator for adult social care in England. It carries out inspections to check whether care homes are safe, respectful and well managed. During an inspection, the CQC looks at:
- How concerns are reported and handled
- Whether residents are protected from harm
- If staff are trained and supported to safeguard others
If the CQC finds serious problems, it can issue warnings, restrict new admissions or close a service.
Local Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs)
Every area has a Safeguarding Adults Board, which includes representatives from the council, the NHS and the police. These boards make sure organisations in the area work together to keep people safe.
For a better understanding of care environments, see our guide on the difference between care homes and nursing homes.
Roles and Responsibilities in Safeguarding
Safeguarding in care homes is a shared duty. Every staff member, from carers to managers, plays an important part in creating a safe and respectful environment for residents.
| Role | Key Responsibilities |
| Care Staff | 1. Notice changes in mood, behaviour or appearance 2. Report concerns immediately] 3. Follow safeguarding procedures accurately 4. Keep clear, factual records 5. Support residents who raise concerns |
| Support Staff | 1. Stay alert to possible signs of neglect or abuse 2. Speak up if something seems wrong 3. Understand basic safeguarding procedures 4. Report concerns to the safeguarding lead or manager |
| All Staff | 1. Attend safeguarding training regularly 2. Understand types of abuse and warning signs 3. Know who to speak to and how to report 4. Work respectfully and protect resident dignity |
| Managers and Leaders | 1. Maintain up-to-date safeguarding policies 2. Make sure all staff are trained and confident 3. Encourage open communication 4. Act quickly when concerns are raised 5. Review incidents and learn from them |
Good safeguarding starts with awareness and action. When everyone understands their role and feels supported to speak up, residents are better protected, and care standards remain high.
The 5 R’s of Safeguarding
Staff are trained to follow five key steps when they suspect harm or poor care. These help guide a clear and consistent response:
- Recognise: Notice signs of abuse, neglect, or unusual behaviour
- Respond: Stay calm, support the person, and don’t ignore it
- Report: Speak to the safeguarding lead or manager as soon as possible
- Record: Write down what happened clearly and factually
- Refer: Pass the concern to the local authority if needed
Following these steps helps protect residents and keeps everyone accountable.
Recognising Signs of Abuse and Neglect
Safeguarding in care homes means knowing how to spot harm before it gets worse. Abuse can take many forms, and it may not always be obvious. Staff, families and visitors should be alert to small changes in a resident’s behaviour or condition.
Common types of abuse include:
| Type of Abuse | What It May Involve |
| Physical abuse | Hitting, pushing, rough handling, or forceful restraint |
| Emotional abuse | Shouting, threats, ignoring someone, or controlling what they say or do |
| Financial abuse | Stealing money, pressuring someone to hand over belongings, or misusing bank cards |
| Neglect | Missing medication, poor hygiene, lack of food, or not helping with daily needs |
| Mental abuse | Safeguarding also includes protecting mental health. Sudden withdrawal, anxiety, or low mood may be early signs of distress that should not be ignored. |
Warning signs to look out for:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts or repeated injuries
- Changes in mood, such as fear, withdrawal or anxiety
- Weight loss or signs of hunger and dehydration
- Unpaid bills or missing money
- A resident seeming scared of a particular staff member
These signs do not always mean abuse is happening, but they should never be ignored.
For those supporting people with cognitive conditions, it may help to understand the difference between learning difficulties and learning disabilities.
How to Raise a Safeguarding Concern in a Care Home
Safeguarding depends on people speaking up. If you’re worried about a resident’s safety or well-being, say something. You do not need proof, trust your instincts.
Steps to Raise a Safeguarding Concern
- Speak to the care home’s safeguarding lead or manager
Share what happened or what was said. Be clear and include names, dates, and times where possible. - Write it down
Keep a short, factual note. Avoid opinions, focus on what you saw, heard, or were told. - Contact your local council’s adult safeguarding team
If the concern is serious or not dealt with, you can report it directly to the local authority. - Inform the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The CQC does not investigate individual complaints but monitors care standards based on patterns. Visit the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or call 03000 616161
What Might Happen Next
- The concern will be reviewed
- The resident may be spoken to directly
- Staff may be removed from duty during the investigation
- Police or medical professionals may be contacted if needed
Possible Results
- Staff training or formal warnings
- Changes to daily care or safety measures
- Updates to policies or routines
- Legal action in serious cases
Staff can raise concerns too. If you report something in good faith, you are protected by law. Speaking up can stop harm before it gets worse.
Example of Safeguarding in a Care Home
A resident with dementia becomes unusually quiet and withdrawn. A carer notices bruises on their arm and hears another staff member speaking harshly to them during personal care.
The carer:
- Reports it to the safeguarding lead
- Writes down what was seen and heard
- Flags it to the local authority for further review
As a result:
- The staff member is removed from duty
- The resident receives emotional support and medical checks
- The care home reviews its training and strengthens its reporting process
This shows how early action can protect residents and improve the overall quality of care. Safeguarding is not just a policy, it’s about noticing, speaking up, and doing the right thing.
Empowering Residents and Families
Safeguarding in care homes is not just about preventing harm. It also means giving residents control over their care and involving families as valued partners. When people feel heard, respected, and supported, they are safer and more confident in their daily lives.
The table below outlines key rights of residents and how families can take part in keeping their loved ones safe:
| Area | Key Points |
| Rights of Residents | 1. Live free from abuse, neglect, and poor treatment 2. Be treated with dignity and respect 3. Take part in decisions about care and daily life 4. Speak up about concerns and be heard |
| Family Involvement | 1. Visit regularly and maintain open communication with staff 2. Ask questions about care and raise concerns if needed 3. Encourage loved ones to share how they feel 4. Support safe and respectful care through active involvement |
Safeguarding in a care home works best when residents and families are involved, informed and listened to. A strong partnership between staff and relatives helps build trust and keeps care focused on what matters most, feeling safe, respected and cared for.
Some families may also consider adult day care facilities to support loved ones while maintaining their well-being.
Conclusion
What is safeguarding in care homes? It’s more than a policy, it’s a shared responsibility to protect residents from harm, uphold their rights, and make sure they feel safe, respected, and cared for each day.
When staff, families, and communities speak up and stay involved, care homes become places of dignity and trust.
If you’re ever unsure, have a concern, or simply want to learn more, Metro Care UK is here to support you with clear guidance, open conversations, and care that puts people first.
FAQs
Who is responsible for safeguarding in a care home?
Under the Care Act 2014, the care provider has legal responsibility. Managers must make sure staff follow safeguarding policies. All staff, including carers, cleaners, and kitchen workers, must report concerns. Families and visitors also play a part by raising concerns when something feels wrong. Safeguarding is everyone’s duty.
What are the 6 principles of safeguarding?
These principles guide how care homes protect people:
Empowerment: Support people to make their own decisions
Prevention: Take action before harm happens
Proportionality: Respond in a way that fits the level of risk
Protection: Help those at greatest risk
Partnership: Work with families and outside organisations
Accountability: Be clear about who is responsible and what actions are taken
Can you give me an example of when safeguarding needs to be raised?
A carer notices a resident has bruises on their arm with no explanation. The resident seems nervous around a certain staff member. The carer writes down what they’ve seen, reports it to the manager, and the incident is passed to the safeguarding team. This is the correct response to a safeguarding concern.
What are the 5 R’s of safeguarding?
The 5 R’s are the steps staff should take when they suspect abuse or neglect:
Recognise: Be alert to signs that something is wrong
Respond: Act calmly and don’t ignore it
Report: Tell the safeguarding lead or manager
Record: Write a clear, accurate note of what happened
Refer: Pass the concern to the local safeguarding or CQC if needed
What is the role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in safeguarding?
The CQC inspects care homes in England to check if people are safe. It looks at how the home prevents abuse and handles concerns. If risks are found, the CQC can issue warnings, limit services or close a home. It also works with councils and the police to protect residents from harm.