From Tuesday 9th May the Safeguarding Adults Concern and Notification Form (SA1) – for reporting adult safeguarding concerns – is being replaced with a new online form the Adult EMARF (Electronic Multi-Agency Referral Form). Reporting concerns for adults and children will then both follow the same process.
As was the case with the SA1, the new EMARF is only to be used in circumstances where there are concerns that an adult who has care and support needs is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect. It is expected that all agencies will complete EMARF’s to raise safeguarding concerns.
SA1 forms will no longer be accepted from 9th May, so please do not use the AIA@wolverhampton.gov.uk email address to send Adult Safeguarding referrals after this date as this inbox will no longer be used for this function.
Please remember, wherever possible to talk to either Ian (As Named Safeguarding Lead) or Stephen (as Deputy Safeguarding Lead) before submitting an EMARF for either a child or an adult. This is so that we can advise on the referral and make a record centrally so that we can record and track the progress of all referrals. However, do not let this hold up a referral that you feel is urgent, but do please email the PDF you can save to Stephen and Ian once the EMARF has been submitted.
Registering to use the EMARF
You can register to have access to complete the EMARF at https://marf.wolverhampton.gov.uk/.
If you have already registered to submit Children’s EMARF’s, you can use the same log on details.
Once you have completed and EMARF, you will be able to save a PDF version of your submitted form.
All referrals will be reviewed on receipt, if they are not complete or do not meet the criteria, the referrer will be notified and the EMARF will not progress to a s42 enquiry.
Adult safeguarding duties apply to:
A person who is 18 or over and has care and support needs (regardless of whether or not the Local Authority is meeting any of those needs)
and
Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
and
As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect him or herself against the abuse / neglect or the risk of it
The Care Act 2014, section 42 (2) requires a local authority to make statutory enquiries, or cause others to do so, where it has a reasonable cause to suspect that the above criteria have been satisfied.
When to Complete an Adult Safeguarding Referral (EMARF)
A safeguarding referral an Electronic Multi-Agency Referral Form (EMARF) should be completed to report any concern or incident where you identify that a person with care and support needs meets the safeguarding duty criteria (as set out above). You should complete and submit the EMARF on the same day that you become aware of the concern. Your organisation’s own internal safeguarding procedure may require that you consult with a manager or senior on duty prior to raising a referral. However, this should not delay submission of the referral or any immediate action that may be required to safeguard the adult. The EMARF should not be used to report emergency safeguarding concerns that require an immediate response. If there is concern for someone’s immediate safety, call emergency services.
Whilst adult safeguarding procedures apply to adults who are currently experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect there may be some situations where an adult has experienced abuse or neglect but is no longer at risk. A safeguarding referral is not required in these situations, but consideration must still be given as to whether the abuse or neglect needs to be addressed in other ways such as a complaint or if a crime has occurred by reporting the concern to the police. Consideration should also be given to whether other adults with care and support needs are at risk of abuse and neglect as further action may still need to be taken.
The following circumstances could result in a safeguarding referral being completed:
- An abusive act is witnessed
- Disclosure of abuse is made by the adult
- Disclosure of abuse from a third party
- Suspicion or concern that something is not right
- Evidence of possible abuse or neglect
- There are wider concerns about a service which suggests other adults with care and support needs are experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect
Making Safeguarding Personal and Consent
Safeguarding adults should be person-led, outcome focused and wherever possible involve the person to take control of and improve their quality of life, well-being, and safety. Therefore, it is essential that a conversation is held with the adult about the concern/incident and any potential safeguarding referral. Wherever possible, consent to raise the safeguarding referral and to share information must be sought and the wishes and views of the adult gathered. If a capacitated adult declines safeguarding intervention, this should be respected unless there is an aspect of overriding public interest and clearly recorded. Consideration must also be given to risk to others and any position of trust issues which still may need to be progressed. If in doubt, speak to the Adult MASH for further guidance and advice. When an adult lacks mental capacity to give consent, consideration should be given to whether raising the safeguarding referral is in the adult’s best interests.
From 9th May onwards you will be able to access the EMARF as follows:
- at https://emarf.wolverhampton.gov.uk/
- on the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together website at www.wolverhamptonsafeguarding.org.uk
Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together
City of Wolverhampton Council
Office: 01902 550636
wst@wolverhampton.gov.uk