Safeguarding residents and the community
We are committed to protecting residents' rights to live safely and free from neglect, harm or abuse. If you think you or someone else is in danger, please report it to us and the relevant authorities.
Individuals at risk and types of abuse
To provide the highest level of protection for individuals at risk, it is important to understand the different types of abuse that may occur.
Below are definitions of children and adults at risk, along with various forms of abuse that may affect them.
Children
A child is anyone under the age of 18.
The most recognised types of child abuse include:
- physical
- emotional
- sexual
- neglect and acts of omission
- domestic abuse
The NSPCC further categorises child abuse to include:
- witnessing domestic violence
- child sexual exploitation involving money
- bullying and online cyber bullying
- grooming by sexual perpetrators or radical extremists
- female genital mutilation
- child trafficking
County lines
We've also added ‘county lines’ to our list of types of child abuse.
According to the Serious Violence Strategy 2018, county lines refer to gangs and organised criminal networks that export illegal drugs into one or more areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phones or other “deal lines”.
They often exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs, money and weapons, using coercion, control, intimidation and violence, including sexual violence and weapons.
Adults
An adult is anyone aged 18 or over.
The Care Act 2014 stipulates that safeguarding duties apply to an adult who:
- has care and support needs – whether the local authority is meeting any of those needs
- is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
- because of care and support needs, are unable to protect themselves from either the risk of or the experience of abuse or neglect
Types of abuse include:
- physical abuse
- emotional
- sexual abuse
- neglect and acts of omission
- self-neglect
- financial or material abuse
- organisational abuse
- discriminatory abuse
- modern slavery
- domestic abuse
Cuckooing
We've also added ‘cuckooing’ to our list of types of abuse due to the increased number of cases seen over recent years.
Cuckooing is a practice where people take over a person’s home and use the property to facilitate exploitation. It takes its name from cuckoos that take over the nests of other birds.
Different types of cuckooing include:
- using the property to deal, store or take drugs
- using the property for sex work
- taking over the property to live in it
- living at the property and abusing or exploiting the tenant
If you think an adult at risk has had their home taken over by a group or individual, please email our Safeguarding team.
How to report a safeguarding issue
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 right away.
For non-urgent situations, contact your local authority's Safeguarding Children and Adults At Risk teams.
If the person at risk of abuse (not in immediate danger) is an L&Q resident, please email our Safeguarding team as soon as possible.
All reports will be handled with the utmost confidentiality, and appropriate steps will be taken to address the concerns raised.
Additional help and support
There are specially trained organisations that you can speak in confidence to:
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge, this service provides 24/7 support and advice for people who are experiencing domestic abuse or are concerned about someone else.
Call 0808 200 0247.
Information about services that specialise in support related to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
This service provides emotional support to anyone in distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. They offer a 24/7 helpline where trained volunteers listen and provide confidential support.
Call 116 123.
Find and contact your GP for support with your mental health.
If you live in Trafford or the North West of England
If you're worried about a vulnerable family member or friend who lives alone, we can offer round-the-clock monitoring equipment, like pendant alarms, to reassure and support you and your loved one.
Our commitment
We believe safeguarding is everyone’s business – that’s why all our staff must complete training on safeguarding children and adults at risk.
All L&Q colleagues undergo online training, and those who work directly with residents also receive classroom training.
We continuously review and enhance our safeguarding practices to maintain the highest standards of protection for residents and staff.
If you have any questions or need further information, please email our Safeguarding team.