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Discriminatory abuse

Ill-treatment experienced by people based on age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

A preventative approach

Incidents of ill-treatment based on protective factors can be responded to through a range of approaches and early identification and a multi-agency approach can help ensure that a statutory safeguarding response is not required.

Actions that should be considered in the first instance and as part of a preventative approach include:

  • Recording what has occurred and consideration of whether there have been any other similar incidents.
  • Advice and information being provided.
  • Information and education around expected standards of conduct, respect, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Training around conduct, respect, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Use of risk management processes.
  • Review of existing care plans or creation of new care plans /risk assessments.
  • Refer to Equality Act government guidance (2013).

Non-reportable concerns

Examples of isolated incidents where no other similar concerns have been identified and that do not need to be reported as a safeguarding concern include:

  • Not committed by a Person in a Position of Trust (e.g., a professional), and:
    • Incident when an inappropriate prejudicial remark is made to an adult and the adult confirms that no distress is caused.
    • Care planning that fails to address an adult’s culture and diversity needs for a short period but where the issue(s) are being addressed.

Concerns requiring consultation

More serious incidents will require internal consultation, through relevant organisational policies and procedures and senior leadership as well as potentially through the Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures and other organisations being made aware.

In these cases, it is important that you consider alternative or additional actions to contacting the local authority. These include:

  • Share information with the local Community Safety Team/Police Community Safety Team.
  • Quality Improvement Plan for the service.
  • Share information with the ICB Quality Team and/or the CQC.
  • Complaints or disciplinary processes.

Examples that require external consultation with the relevant Adult Social Care department, and may lead to a safeguarding concern needing to be submitted, include:

  • Recurring discriminatory remarks/taunts motivated by prejudicial attitudes with no significant impact.
  • Recurring failure to meet specific care/support needs associated with equality and diversity that causes minimal or no distress.
  • Neighbourhood disputes targeting an adult with care and support needs.
  • Service provision does not respect equality and diversity principles.
  • Denial of civil liberties (e.g., making a complaint or being able to vote).

Reportable concerns

Serious incidents need to be formally raised as a safeguarding concern with the local authority Adult Social Care department. Consideration should also be given as to whether the police or other emergency services need to be contacted. Professional curiosity is important and a Think Family approach if children or other adults may be impacted.

In these cases, it is important that you consider additional actions to contacting the local authority. These include:

  • RAISE SAFEGUARDING CONCERN
  • If there is an indication a criminal act has occurred, the police must be consulted.
  • Immediate safety plans must be implemented.

Examples of reportable concerns include:

  • Any concerns about a Person in a Position of Trust.
  • Hate crime or mate crime related to a person’s protected characteristics resulting in injury/medical treatment/fear for life.
  • Honour-based violence.
  • Inequitable access to service provision due to prejudice and /or a lack of equality and diversity.
  • Recurring failure to meet specific care and support needs associated with prejudice and/or a lack of equality and diversity that causes distress.
Last updated: 30 June 2026