Harm Levels

We recognise that responding to issues of adult protection regarding adults at risk can be complex. The Care Act 2014 requires safeguarding measures to stop abuse, and prevent harm and neglect to adults with care and support needs.

Harm levels have now been introduced with information and guidance for service providers in Stockport. These will help to support decision making that will result in the most appropriate pathway to address adult protection concerns.

The aims of the harm levels guidance is to:

• create a consistent approach to the response and investigation of adult protection concerns across Stockport
• determine harm levels where an internal investigation, by a provider service, is appropriate as opposed to multi-agency response
• create a balanced response to adult protection concerns in Stockport. This will make sure that the views of adults at risk and/or their representative, remains central to the process and in line with making safeguarding personal

The harm levels guidance draws on the thresholds (ADASS North East) and National Patient Safety Guidance (NHS England) and outlines 5 levels of harm and the appropriate response to each level. The guidance should be used in conjunction with our  Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures (PDF 3Mb)