This guide will help you answer 2.2. Analyse the roles of agencies when responding to suspected harm or abuse of: • children and young people • adults.
Responding to suspected harm or abuse requires a quick and coordinated approach. Different agencies have defined roles and responsibilities. Each works to safeguard and protect individuals, whether they are children, young people, or adults at risk. This guide covers how these agencies operate, their legal duties, and how they work together. It will cover both statutory (required by law) and non-statutory agencies.
Local Authority Children’s Services
Children’s Services have a legal duty to protect children and young people from harm. They take the lead once a child protection concern is reported. In England, their work is shaped by the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004, and by statutory guidance such as Working Together to Safeguard Children. Check the current versions, as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements.
Main roles include:
- Assessing risk to the child through a local authority enquiry known as a Section 47 enquiry, made under the Children Act 1989
- Coordinating child protection conferences and planning meetings
- Making decisions on whether a child needs to be placed in care for safety reasons
- Providing family support services when it is safe for the child to remain at home
They work closely with schools, police, health services, and voluntary sector organisations to share relevant information.
Local Authority Adult Social Care
In England, Adult Social Care teams work with adults who have care and support needs and may be at risk of abuse or neglect. Their responsibilities are set out in the Care Act 2014.
Main roles include:
- Responding to safeguarding alerts from professionals, organisations, or members of the public
- Carrying out a safeguarding enquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014
- Working with the person to understand their wishes and preferred outcomes in the safeguarding process
- Coordinating support from health, housing, and community services
Adult Social Care focuses on making safeguarding personal, meaning intervention is shaped around the individual’s needs and preferences while maintaining safety.
Police
Police play a central role in both child and adult safeguarding by investigating allegations of abuse that may involve criminal offences.
Key roles include:
- Investigating criminal offences that may involve abuse or harm, such as assault, sexual offences, fraud and financial exploitation
- Gathering evidence from witnesses, CCTV, forensic science, and interviews
- Arresting and charging suspects when there is sufficient evidence
- Working with other agencies to keep victims safe, which can include police and court protection orders where they are available (for example domestic abuse protection orders, currently available only in pilot areas of England and Wales)
- Referring concerns to social care services when a child, or an adult with care and support needs, may be at risk
NHS and Health Services
Health professionals are often the first to notice signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. They have safeguarding roles in both prevention and response.
Roles include:
- Identifying and recording injuries or other indicators of abuse
- Making referrals to the relevant safeguarding team in the local authority
- Providing medical treatment, support, and assessments for victims
- Contributing to safeguarding meetings with factual information about a person’s health and wellbeing
- Working with local safeguarding partners and other agencies; the role of health services in England is set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children
Midwives, health visitors, and mental health workers are often key to recognising early signs of harm in children and adults.
Schools and Educational Settings
Teachers and school staff are in a position to notice changes in a child’s appearance, behaviour, or attendance.
Roles include:
- Immediate reporting of suspected abuse to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Keeping accurate notes and records of observations and disclosures
- Working closely with social workers to support a child at risk
- Being part of multi-agency child protection conferences
- Educating children on how to keep themselves safe through personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education
In England, schools and colleges follow the statutory guidance “Keeping Children Safe in Education” (KCSIE). Check the current edition, as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own school safeguarding guidance.
Care Providers and Support Workers
In residential care homes, supported living, home care, and day centres, staff play a key role in safeguarding.
Responsibilities include:
- Following safeguarding reporting procedures without delay
- Preserving evidence if a crime is suspected
- Supporting the person emotionally and physically during the safeguarding process
- Working with investigators from other agencies
- Making practical adjustments to improve safety and prevent further harm
They have a duty of care to the people they support, which means acting immediately when abuse is suspected.
Safeguarding Boards and Partnerships
In England, children’s safeguarding arrangements are led locally by safeguarding partners (the local authority, health and the police), and each local authority has a Safeguarding Adults Board under section 43 of the Care Act 2014. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different structures. These bring together representatives from the local authority, police, NHS, and other agencies.
Roles include:
- Setting local safeguarding policies and procedures
- Coordinating how agencies work together
- Running training and awareness programmes for professionals and the public
- Reviewing serious safeguarding cases to learn lessons and prevent recurrence
These boards do not carry out individual investigations but make sure agencies are working together effectively.
Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations
Charities and community groups often play an important role in safeguarding. Some work directly with victims of abuse, such as domestic abuse refuges or mental health support organisations.
Roles include:
- Providing safe spaces and emotional support for victims
- Acting as advocates during safeguarding processes
- Running helplines and outreach services
- Working with statutory agencies to share concerns and information
- Raising awareness through campaigns and education
While these organisations may not have formal statutory powers, they are often trusted by service users and can help them engage with official safeguarding systems.
Housing Services
Housing officers may notice signs of abuse or neglect when visiting properties or supporting tenants. They can play a part in safeguarding and work with other agencies. In England, housing services are among those covered by the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Roles include:
- Reporting suspected abuse to social care or police
- Working with other agencies to rehouse someone who is unsafe
- Providing information on the housing situation during safeguarding enquiries
- Supporting victims with practical housing matters and pointing them to further help (see the GOV.UK guide to getting help with domestic abuse)
People experiencing abuse may need urgent changes to their living arrangements to stay safe.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
When police gather evidence and arrest a suspect, they refer the case to the CPS. This agency decides whether a prosecution should go ahead.
Roles include:
- Reviewing evidence to see if there is a realistic chance of conviction
- Considering whether it is in the public interest to proceed
- Preparing the case for court and presenting it before a judge or jury
- Supporting victims and witnesses by explaining the legal process
The CPS plays a key part in achieving justice for victims of abuse.
Multi-Agency Working
Safeguarding works best when agencies cooperate. No single agency can cover every aspect of protection.
Multi-agency working involves:
- Holding case conferences and strategy meetings to share information and agree actions
- Joint visits or interviews
- Assigning lead professionals to coordinate support
- Sharing records securely in line with data protection laws
- Developing joint risk assessments and protection plans
Effective communication between agencies reduces delays and gaps in safeguarding.
Challenges Agencies Face
Agencies may face difficulties when responding to suspected harm or abuse:
- Limited resources can cause delays in response
- Information sharing can be hindered by misunderstanding about confidentiality laws
- Victims may be too frightened to speak openly
- Cultural differences can affect how abuse is recognised or reported
Professionals must work to overcome these challenges to keep people safe.
Legal Context
Key laws and guidance shape agency roles in England. Check the current versions, as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own laws and guidance:
- Children Act 1989 and 2004
- Care Act 2014
- Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance
- Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
These laws make sure agencies know their duties.
Recording and Reporting Concerns
Every agency must have clear safeguarding procedures. Workers should report concerns urgently and never promise to keep abuse a secret.
Key steps include:
- Recording facts accurately and without personal opinion
- Reporting to the designated safeguarding person or team
- Contacting police or social care directly if urgent risk is present
- Following up to confirm the report has been received and acted upon
Accurate records can be used as evidence later.
Final Thoughts
Protecting children, young people, and adults from harm or abuse is a shared responsibility. Each agency involved in safeguarding brings unique skills and legal powers. The work only succeeds when these agencies communicate, cooperate, and keep the needs and safety of the individual at the centre of their actions.
Agencies must remain alert to signs of abuse and act without delay. By understanding each other’s roles and responsibilities, they can respond with greater speed and effectiveness. In cases of suspected harm, time is critical, and coordinated intervention can save lives and prevent long-term damage.