This report provides the key findings from the Safeguarding Adults Return (SAR) data collection for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016. This report presents information about adults at risk for whom safeguarding referrals were opened during the reporting period, and case details for safeguarding referrals which concluded during the reporting period. A safeguarding referral is where a concern is raised with a council about a risk of abuse, which instigates an investigation under the local safeguarding procedures.

The Safeguarding Adults Collection only includes cases of alleged abuse where a council safeguarding service has been notified and has entered details onto their system. It does not include cases where partner agencies have dealt with the allegation and not shared the information with the council. It is likely that there are cases of abuse that have not been reported to councils. Furthermore, the data collection only covers abuse perpetrated by others; it does not include self-harm or self-neglect.

Key facts: • For the 2015-16 reporting year there were 102,970 individuals with enquiries under Section 42 of the Care Act. Of these enquiries, 60 per cent were for females (61,985 enquiries) and 63 per cent of individuals at risk were aged 65 or over (65,085 enquiries). • For Section 42 enquiries which concluded during the reporting year, there were 124,940 risks1 recorded by type of risk. Of these, the most common type was neglect and acts of omission, which accounted for 34 per cent of risks, followed by physical abuse with 26 per cent. • There were 110,095 risks recorded by location of risk in concluded Section 42 enquiries. The location of risk was most frequently the home of the adult at risk (43 per cent of enquiries) or in a care home (36 per cent). 1 One enquiry can include multiple risks if more than one type, location or source of risk is involved.