Safeguarding Adults Week 2025: Prevention in Action 

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. 
We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”

DESMOND TUTU

This week marks Safeguarding Adults Week, a week of nationally promoted awareness campaigns, learning, and opportunities for reflection on best practice; hosted and led by Local Authorities, Charities and other partner agencies. The 2025 theme, ‘Prevention’, highlights the importance of taking early action to stop abuse before it happens. It also aligns with National Self Care Week, reminding us that wellbeing and safeguarding go hand in hand. 
 
Safeguarding is about more than protection; it’s about promoting wellbeing, independence, and inclusion. By focusing on prevention, we can all play a part in helping people to live safe, empowered, and fulfilling lives. 

Prevention in Practice 

To effectively prevent abuse and neglect, we can adopt several important strategies: 

• Clear policies that establish safer recruitment, safe practice, and outline how concerns can be reported 
• Risk assessments and care planning that proactively recognise when needs are changing or risks are increasing, and act quickly in response 
• Training and awareness that build confidence in recognising signs of abuse and understanding our role in prevention 
• Community engagement that strengthens connections with local professionals, partner agencies, and support networks, because safeguarding is everyone’s business 

Together, these approaches create environments where people are listened to, supported, and involved in decisions about their care, lives, and wellbeing. Prevention works best when people are placed at the forefront of their own safety and support. 

Promoting Self-Care and Preventing Self-Neglect 

Self-neglect is a complex issue that can often go unnoticed. It happens when a person is unable or unwilling to care for their own basic needs, such as health, hygiene, or living environment, often due to underlying physical, mental, or emotional factors. 

Encouraging self-care can play a vital role in prevention. Small, positive daily actions such as sharing a meal with others, building regular routines, or supporting someone to reconnect with their community, can all help reduce the risk of self-neglect. 

The Ann Craft Trust highlights that recognising early signs of self-neglect, and offering compassionate support, can make a significant difference to someone’s wellbeing and safety. 

Escalating Concerns and Speaking Up 

Safeguarding starts with awareness. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to speak up. Raising concerns early, even if they seem small, can prevent harm and ensure that people receive the help they need. 

Whistleblowing and reporting concerns are not about blame; they’re about creating safer environments for everyone. Effective safeguarding relies on open communication, shared responsibility, and a culture where people feel confident to act. 

Recognising and Responding to Domestic Abuse 

Abuse can affect anyone, regardless of gender, background, or circumstance. While domestic abuse is often associated with women, men can be victims too, around one in six men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. 

Domestic abuse takes many forms, including: 

• Physical – such as hitting or restraining 
• Emotional – such as threats, humiliation, or control 
• Financial – restricting access to money or essentials 
• Coercive control – isolating someone or monitoring their activities 

It’s vital that everyone knows the signs and feels supported to seek help. Abuse is never the victim’s fault, and no one should face it alone. 

If you’re concerned about someone, you can contact your local safeguarding board or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. More information and resources are also available via the Ann Craft Trust. 

Online Scams and Safe Relationships 

Online spaces can offer connection and companionship, but they can also pose risks. Romance scams and other forms of online exploitation are increasingly common, often beginning with genuine-seeming interactions that develop into emotional and financial abuse. 

Common warning signs include: 

• Quickly developing relationships or declarations of love 
• Avoidance of video calls or face-to-face meetings 
• Requests for money or personal information 
• Attempts to isolate someone from family or friends 

Talking openly about online relationships helps people recognise the difference between healthy and unsafe behaviours. Building understanding of consent, respect, and trust is key to promoting safe and positive relationships both online and offline. 

Making Safeguarding Personal 

Effective safeguarding is not something done to people; it is done with them. 

Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) is a national approach that ensures people are at the centre of safeguarding decisions. It’s about listening to what matters most to each individual and supporting them to achieve outcomes that reflect their values and choices. 

Putting people first means respecting autonomy, promoting independence, and recognising that safety looks different for everyone. When safeguarding is personal, it becomes more meaningful, empowering, and effective. 

Prevention Is Everyone’s Responsibility 

Safeguarding Adults Week reminds us that prevention is a shared responsibility across communities, organisations, and individuals. 
 
Every conversation, every act of kindness, and every moment of attention can help protect and empower others. By working together, we can build safer, more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

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