Adult Safeguarding Threshold Guidance

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board's Adult Safeguarding Threshold Guidance supports practitioners, providers and partner organisations to make consistent and proportionate decisions about when concerns should be referred through adult safeguarding procedures and when alternative pathways may be more appropriate.

The guidance is based on the safeguarding duties set out in the Care Act 2014 and provides a practical framework for assessing risk, harm and vulnerability. Using a colour-coded threshold system, it helps practitioners determine whether concerns require a safeguarding referral, consultation, quality assurance action, or support through other services.

The document covers a wide range of abuse and neglect categories, including self-neglect, domestic abuse, organisational abuse, financial abuse, modern slavery and medication-related concerns. It also promotes professional curiosity, effective information sharing, preventative practice and partnership working.

Overall, the guidance aims to support timely, person-centred and evidence-based decision-making, ensuring adults at risk receive the right response at the right time while promoting prevention and early intervention.

Download and view the Adult Safeguarding Threshold Guidance document