Councils investigated more adult safeguarding cases involving self-neglect and domestic abuse last year, but carried out fewer enquiries overall, despite a rise in referrals, show official figures.
The number of concerns reported to local authorities rose by 5% to 498,260, reported NHS Digital’s annual safeguarding adults collection, published last week. However, the number of enquiries fell by 5% to 168,960, with a 6% drop in statutory investigations under section 42 of the Care Act 2014.
The number of completed section 42 enquiries fell or was stable in most categories of risk, with neglect and acts of omission remaining the most common form, accounting for 61,190 cases, down from 65,590 in 2019-20.
However, the number of completed domestic abuse enquiries rose by 28%, from 10,825 to 13,880, with a 26% rise in those concerning self-neglect, from 10,245 to 12,920. There was also a significant jump in cases concerning sexual exploitation, though from a low base.
Under section 42, an enquiry is triggered when a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect an adult with care and support needs is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves because of their needs.
