This procedure provides guidance that prevents and reduces the risk of harm to adults and children from abuse and/or other types of exploitation while supporting individuals to maintain control over their lives and enabling them to make informed decisions without coercion.
Date for review: summer 2026
Safeguarding is recognised as a key responsibility of local authorities and is everybody business; as neighbours, citizens, and community members we need to be alerted to neglect and abuse and be committed to reporting our concerns. It is a basic right that our lives are free from harm, abuse, and neglect and coercion.
This information provides guidance that prevents and reduces the risk of harm to adults and children from abuse and/or other types of exploitation while supporting individuals to maintain control over their lives and enabling them to make informed decisions without coercion.
Safeguarding of children and adults at risk are governed by separate Government legislation and separate Surrey County Council safeguarding boards/partnerships, that is reflected within the following information.