I've Raised a Concern. What Happens Next?
Raising a safeguarding concern can feel like a significant step.
Whether you are:
- Seeking support for yourself.
- Concerned about another student.
- Concerned about a colleague.
- Reporting a welfare concern.
- Sharing information about a child or adult at risk.
you may be wondering:
"What happens now?"
Many people worry that raising a concern will automatically trigger formal action or that they will lose control over what happens next.
In reality, safeguarding is usually a careful, proportionate and risk-based process designed to understand concerns, manage risks and ensure people receive appropriate support.
Every situation is different, but there are some common stages that many safeguarding referrals follow.
Step 1: Receipt and Initial Screening
When a safeguarding concern is received, it is reviewed by appropriately trained safeguarding professionals.
At this stage, the safeguarding team will consider:
- What information has been provided.
- Whether there are any immediate safety concerns.
- Whether urgent action is required.
- Whether additional information may be needed.
- Which university processes may be relevant.
The purpose of screening is not to make assumptions or reach conclusions.
It is simply to understand the nature of the concern and determine the most appropriate next steps.
Step 2: Initial Risk Assessment
Following screening, a risk assessment may be undertaken.
The safeguarding team will consider:
Is there an immediate risk to anyone's safety?
Are there concerns about self-harm or suicide?
Is there a risk of abuse, exploitation or harm?
Are children or adults at risk involved?
Are there concerns affecting other members of the university community?
Does anyone require urgent support?
Risk assessments are dynamic and may be reviewed as new information becomes available.
The purpose is not to label people but to identify what support or intervention may be required.
Step 3: Gathering Information
Sometimes additional information is needed before decisions can be made.
This may involve reviewing information already available to the University, such as:
- Previous safeguarding concerns.
- Wellbeing support involvement.
- Support to Study processes.
- Accommodation concerns.
- Student engagement information.
- Relevant university records.
The University will only access information that is relevant to understanding and managing the concern.
Step 4: Contact and Engagement
In many cases, the safeguarding team may contact the individual who is the subject of the concern.
The purpose is usually to:
- Check on their wellbeing.
- Understand their circumstances.
- Explore support needs.
- Discuss available options.
- Understand any risks that may be present.
Not every safeguarding concern will result in immediate contact, and the timing of contact may vary depending on the circumstances.
What If Someone Else Raised the Concern?
Sometimes safeguarding referrals are made by:
- Friends.
- Family members.
- Staff members.
- Placement providers.
- External agencies.
This can sometimes feel surprising for the individual concerned.
It is important to remember that safeguarding concerns are often raised because someone is worried about a person's welfare, safety or wellbeing.
Raising a concern does not mean assumptions have been made or conclusions have been reached.
Step 5: Understanding Wishes and Feelings
Where appropriate, safeguarding practitioners will seek to understand:
- What the person wants to happen.
- What support they feel they need.
- Any concerns they have.
- Their preferred outcomes.
Safeguarding is not about taking control away from people.
Where possible, individuals should be involved in decisions that affect them.
However, there may be situations where safeguarding professionals need to act even when someone does not want support, particularly where significant risks are identified.
Step 6: Support Planning
Many safeguarding concerns are resolved through support rather than formal intervention.
Support may include:
- Wellbeing support.
- Mental health support.
- Academic support.
- Disability support.
- Financial support.
- Accommodation support.
- External specialist services.
- Safety planning.
The aim is to identify support that helps reduce risk and improve wellbeing.
Step 7: Multi-Agency Working
Sometimes safeguarding concerns require the involvement of other organisations.
This may include:
- NHS services.
- Children's Services.
- Adult Social Care.
- Police.
- Local Authority safeguarding teams.
- Specialist support organisations.
External agencies are not involved in every safeguarding case.
Referrals are only made where there is a legitimate safeguarding reason to do so.
How Is Information Shared?
Where information sharing is necessary, it should be:
- Relevant.
- Proportionate.
- Necessary.
- Lawful.
- Focused on safeguarding needs.
The University does not share information unnecessarily.
Information sharing decisions are carefully considered and are guided by safeguarding responsibilities, legal obligations and data protection principles.
Step 8: Ongoing Review and Risk Management
Some safeguarding concerns require ongoing monitoring and review.
This may include:
- Follow-up conversations.
- Reviewing support plans.
- Reviewing risk assessments.
- Liaison with support services.
- Multi-agency discussions.
Safeguarding is often a process rather than a single event.
The level of involvement will depend on the nature of the concern and any identified risks.
Step 9: Case Closure
When risks have reduced, support has been offered or appropriate actions have been completed, a safeguarding case may be closed.
Before closure, safeguarding practitioners may consider:
- Whether risks have been appropriately managed.
- Whether support has been offered.
- Whether any actions remain outstanding.
- Whether further intervention is required.
Case closure does not mean that support can never be accessed again.
Individuals can continue to seek help if circumstances change or new concerns arise.
What If the Concern Relates to Someone Else?
If you have raised a concern about another person, you may not receive detailed updates.
This is because:
- People have a right to privacy.
- Information is often confidential.
- The University must comply with data protection obligations.
This can sometimes feel frustrating, particularly when concerns have been raised with good intentions.
However, a lack of updates does not mean that no action has been taken.
Will Raising a Concern Get Someone Into Trouble?
Not necessarily.
Many safeguarding concerns result in:
- Support.
- Advice.
- Welfare interventions.
- Signposting.
- Safety planning.
Safeguarding is primarily concerned with promoting safety and wellbeing, not punishment.
Where other university procedures become relevant, these will be considered separately and fairly.
What If I'm Unsure Whether to Raise a Concern?
Many people worry about getting it wrong.
You do not need proof that someone is at risk before seeking advice or raising a concern.
If something is making you uneasy, it is usually better to seek guidance than to remain silent.
Safeguarding professionals can assess concerns and determine whether further action is required.
Key Message
Raising a safeguarding concern does not automatically trigger formal action, disciplinary procedures or external referrals.
Most safeguarding concerns involve a careful process of understanding circumstances, assessing risk, exploring support needs and helping people access appropriate support.
Safeguarding is about promoting safety, wellbeing and informed decision-making. If you raise a concern in good faith, you are helping to create a safer and more supportive university community.