When gathering information together to make a report to social services the report maker should:
- Be prepared to explain why they think the adult at risk is experiencing or at risk of abuse and neglect: the nature of the concerns and evidence to support this. Is the evidence based on observation, facts, opinion or hearsay?
- Have the information available (signs and indicators) for a report at hand before contacting social services unless there is a need for immediate action.
- Provide as much specific detail and evidence as possible. This is most likely to lead to a shared understanding between the report-maker and report-taker. For example: ‘Mr Jones has bruises on his arms’ does not give the same indication of the nature and severity of the injury as: ‘Mr Jones has bruises on his arms which are a deep purple, the bruises are the size of an adult’s finger tips and their place on his upper arms would seem to indicate they are non-accidental’.
- Be aware that reports do not take place in a vacuum. Be honest and reflect on the factors that might be influencing the way in which the report is couched. For example, report-makers may worry that their relationship with the individual and their family will be affected; they may be anxious about leaving a situation over a week-end; or they may be concerned about meeting agency threshold criteria and this exercises them more than identifying the needs of the individual. Any of these factors can lead to over/under emphasising risk of harm.
- Document all the issues giving rise to the concern; discussions held naming the discussant and the outcome and contact with the individual at risk their family and carers.