Worried about someone?

Professionals reporting a safeguarding concern via the Portal

If you are a Professional wishing to report a safeguarding concern via the Portal, please read the Portal Guidance  and the Safeguarding Adults Threshold Guidance Tool below.

Portal Guidance

Safeguarding Adults Threshold Guidance Tool

Once you have viewed the guidance,  if you need to make a Safeguarding Adults Concern referral, click the link below to go to the Sunderland Adults Safeguarding Portal page:

Safeguarding Adults Concern (SAC) form

Members of Public reporting a safeguarding concern

If you are a member of the public and worried about your own safety or about the safety of someone else, you can call us on 0191 520 5552. Alternatively, you can also visit the Sunderland City Council website and complete the member of public 'online referral form' by clicking on the link below:

Report a safeguarding concern - members of the public

Report a safeguarding concern - general information:

Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard children, young people and adults who may be at risk of abuse.

If you are worried about someone:

• In an emergency, please call: 999
• If there is no immediate risk, call the police on: 101

If you have concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or young person (0 to 17 years old) contact Together for Children on 0191 561 7007 (available 8.30am to 5:15pm Monday - Thursday, 8.30am to 4.45pm Friday)

Who can contact us?

Anyone can contact us, including:

• If you're at risk of, or are being abused or neglected
• Family members
• Friends and neighbours
• Someone working for the council; a private, independent or voluntary organisation
• Members of the public

What will happen next?

• Anything you tell us will be kept in confidence, but we may need to share certain information to keep you safe.
• We will listen to your individual circumstances and look at how serious the situation is before deciding how to respond.
• Our first priority is to ensure you, and any other people who may also be at risk, are safe.
• We will follow a careful and sensitive process to help decide what to do next.
• We will work together with all of the relevant organisations and give you information and advice.
• We may need to investigate or take further action in order to protect you.
• We can provide an advocate for you and your carer.