Safeguarding Adults Week 2025

Safeguarding Adults Week 2025 (17 November to 21 November) is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues.

The week is part of a national initiative led by the Ann Craft Trust to champion the theme:

Prevention: Act Before Abuse

Together North Yorkshire Safeguarding Adults Board (NYSAB) and the City of York Safeguarding Adults Board (CYSAB) are calling on organisations, professionals, communities and individuals across North Yorkshire and York to shift the safeguarding focus from reacting to harm, to embedding strong prevention and earlier action.

Safeguarding adults means more than just responding after harm has occurred, increasingly it needs to be more about taking proactive steps to prevent it. This means creating safer environments, spotting risks early and empowering people to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

The boards recognise that each of us has a part to play, whether as family members, neighbours, volunteers, paid staff or community leaders. Working together, we can build more resilient, inclusive and protective communities.

During the week, the boards will deliver a programme of local activities including:

• face-to-face events in the community at local hospitals and libraries
• awareness-raising materials across social media tailored to our local communities
• online sessions for staff, volunteers and community groups to reflect on safeguarding practice
• asking organisations to review their policies, procedures and practices from a more preventative point of view
• opportunities for individuals to share lived experience and contribute to conversations about what it takes to feel safe and supported

Adrian Green, the NYSAB Independent Chair, said:

We know from our learning from safeguarding adult reviews that there is more to be done to improve our ability to work in partnership to prevent harm before it occurs. The training and learning opportunities that Safeguarding Week provides will help all to reflect on how we can achieve better outcomes for adults.

Jane Timson, the CYSAB Independent Chai, said:

We know from our learning from safeguarding adult reviews that there is more to be done to improve our ability to work in partnership to prevent harm before it occurs. The training and learning opportunities that Safeguarding Week provides will help all to reflect on how we can achieve better outcomes for adults.

If something doesn't feel right, speak up:

• if you or the person you are concerned about is in danger and immediate action is required, you should ring the emergency services on telephone: 999
• if you're concerned about adult abuse in North Yorkshire telephone: 0300 131 2 131 or visit the NYSAB website
• if you're concerned about adult abuse in York, you can raise a concern online or telephone: 01904 555111
• if you would prefer to speak to someone or report information anonymously you can contact the City of York Adult Social Care on: 
  • telephone: 01904 555111, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm
  • text telephone: 07534 437804 if you're hearing impaired
  • telephone: 0300 131 2131 for out of hours help