The University may need to do the following:
1. Refer the matter to adult social care and/or police including if an adult at risk is in immediate danger or is at risk of harm, a crime is in progress, has occurred or may occur or life is at risk.
2. If, on the basis of the information available, it appears to the University that the following three criteria are met, referring to adult social care:
- a person has care and support needs (regardless of the level or seriousness of those care and support needs);
- they may be experiencing or at risk of abuse and neglect; and
- they are unable to protect themselves from that abuse and neglect because of those care and support needs.
3. If an adult refuses intervention to support them, or requests that information about them is not shared with other safeguarding partners, a referral to a third party may be made by the University on a case by case basis including if;
- the adult lacks the mental capacity to make that decision – this must be properly explored and recorded in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005;
- other people are, or may be, at risk, including children;
- sharing the information could prevent a crime;
- the alleged abuser has care and support needs and may also be at risk;
- a serious crime has been committed;
- the adult has the mental capacity to make that decision but they may be under duress or being coerced;
- the risk is unreasonably high and meets the criteria for a multi-agency risk assessment conference referral; and/or
- a court order or other legal authority has requested the information.
4. Investigate the matter further in accordance with its internal policies. In deciding whether to investigate in such circumstances, the University will consider, for example, the seriousness of the incident or where multiple allegations have been made against an individual.