Everybody's business? Public understanding of adult safeguarding in Northern Ireland

Social work, as the frontline profession in adult safeguarding, relies on the vigilance and active participation of the public to identify and report safeguarding concerns. To date, little has been known about the public understanding of, and attitudes to, adult safeguarding. We report on the first comprehensive assessment of these issues in Northern Ireland. The 2024 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey asked a representative sample of 1,199 respondents aged eighteen years or over about their recognition of abuse, their perceived levels of harm and responses to abuse. The findings reveal that the public perceives substantial harm occurring to adults, particularly in private homes, although significant variations exist across demographic groups. Despite a reported willingness to act, many respondents indicated they would not know what to do, suggesting a significant knowledge gap. Concern about potential victimization of those who report abuse was identified, with only moderate confidence in trusting the investigative role of Social Services and the police. Recommendations for enhancement of adult safeguarding practice include the need to increase confidence in Social Services by strengthening interagency protocols and improving communication with the public about outcomes of investigations; publicize clear reporting mechanisms; and develop demographic-specific awareness-raising initiatives.