Hundreds of new safeguarding concerns were investigated in adult social care in Blackburn with Darwen last year, figures show.

Figures from NHS England show new enquiries were raised around 460 times about adults in social care in the borough.

The most common safeguarding concern was for neglect and acts of omission – meaning care needs were being ignored. This features in 180 cases.

When an adult in care is judged to be at risk of neglect or abuse, local authorities have a duty of care to carry out an inquiry.

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Cllr Jackie Floyd, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for adults social care and health, said the council takes safeguarding concerns “extremely seriously.”

She said: “We work very closely with our providers to ensure that our residents in adult social care are safe, secure, and well looked after.

“We also work closely with providers when standards may have fallen short of expectations and the high standards we set. It is vital to us to support in providing the best quality services to everyone in our borough.

“We work incredibly hard with any providers to investigate concerns and complaints and we work to resolve all issues as quickly as possible.”

Across England, there was a small increase (two per cent) in the number of new enquiries to an estimated 176,560 in 2023-24, involving 141,080 individuals.

Neglect was also the most common reason nationally, cited in 43 per cent of 166,170 concluded enquiries.

This was followed by concerns about physical abuse (40,305 cases) and financial or material abuse (29,700 cases).

ADASS, a membership body for social care workers, said safeguarding vulnerable adults is a "careful balancing act".

CEO Anna Hemmings said: "While some people need protection, others choose and have the right to live in a way which presents risks.

"For this group, the role of social care teams is to make them aware of the risks and ensure they know where support is available to them if and when they choose to take it."

Nationally, 56,075 concerns were investigated regarding people in care homes, alongside 13,845 in hospitals.

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In Blackburn with Darwen, these figures were around 155 and 50 respectively.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Abuse of any kind – especially against vulnerable people in care – is unacceptable.

"This government is taking action to ensure people are treated with the respect and safety they deserve, including through reviewing and reforming the Care Quality Commission.

"We are determined to grip the crisis in social care. We will create a National Care Service, which will be underpinned by national standards and delivered locally to ensure that everyone lives an independent, dignified life."

If you have any concerns about an adult safeguarding issue, you can report this on the Blackburn with Darwen Council website, or call the borough’s safeguarding adults team on 01254 585949.