Guide
Safeguarding evidence guide
Regulation 13 requires service users to be protected from abuse and improper treatment. Inspectors test whether staff would recognise a concern, whether they would raise it, and whether the organisation acts and learns when they do.
Policy that matches local arrangements
Your safeguarding policy should name the local authority safeguarding team, the referral route, the local multi-agency procedures and your internal escalation path — not generic national wording.
Training and understanding
Hold training records at the right level for each role, and evidence understanding through supervision discussions, scenario questions and spot checks. Inspectors often ask a care worker directly what they would do.
A referral log that tells the whole story
Record the concern, who raised it, the date and time, immediate action taken to keep the person safe, the referral made, the CQC notification, the outcome and the learning.
- Immediate protective action recorded, not just the referral
- Statutory notification to CQC where required
- Outcome and closure recorded, with any change to the care plan
Restrictive practice and DoLS
Any restriction on liberty should be lawful, documented and reviewed, with DoLS or Court of Protection authorisations current and blanket rules challenged.
Learning and oversight
Themes across concerns should reach the governance meeting, drive changes to practice and be reflected in training. A safeguarding log with no resulting actions suggests concerns are recorded but not used.
Speaking up
Evidence a working whistleblowing route, visible freedom-to-speak-up arrangements and, ideally, examples of concerns raised internally and acted upon.
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