Report a concern about an adult or child

The Social Services & Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 states that an adult / child at risk is who:

• is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect
• has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs)
• as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it

Abuse and neglect can be found in various forms: 

• physical 
• emotional or psychological
• financial
• neglect
• sexual (Contact and non-contact abuse)
• exploitation (sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, modern slavery, trafficking by criminal gangs and organised crime groups)
• peep on peer (bullying, harmful sexual behaviour, serious violence, gang related)
• online
• culturally harmful behaviour (female genital mutilation, forced marriage, honour based violence);
• radicalisation – influences of extremism leading to radicalisation.

Abuse can happen anywhere including:

• at home or in a care home, hospital or day service
• threats to the welfare of children and adults from within their families, children and adults may be vulnerable to abuse or exploitation from outside their families. These extra-familial threats might arise at school and other educational establishments, in the work place, from within peer groups, or more widely from within the wider community and/or online.

Before making a referral we ask that where feasible you get the permission of the person you are referring beforehand. This ensures a person centred approach and Welsh Guidance asks that we get consent before sharing reports about any individual. If it’s not possible (the person may lack mental capacity) or there is an overriding public interest, for example the perpetrator is in a position of trust and others may be at risk, then we will consider overriding consent. If in doubt please give us a ring and we will be happy to advise you.

You can contact Neath Port Talbot’s SPOC Team, (Open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 4.30pm on a Friday):

Out of hours you can contact the Emergency Duty Team on:

You can download a referral form:

and return to:

• https://www.safeguarding.wales/ 
• Western Glamorgan Safeguarding Board 
• Welsh Government Safeguarding Codes of Practice 
• https://socialcare.wales/cms_assets/hub-downloads/Wales-Safeguarding-Procedures-Frequently-asked-questions.pdf
• https://www.south-wales.police.uk/en/advice/county-lines-criminality-drug-dealing-exploitation-vulnerable-people/ 

Make a complaint