DATA released by the NHS shows how many investigations have taken place into allegations of neglect or abuse of adults in care across Wirral.

The publication provides findings from the Safeguarding Adults Collection (SAC) for the period April 1 2022 to March 31 2023.

The aim of the publication is to inform users about aspects of safeguarding activity at national, regional and local level. 

Across England, there were an estimated 587,970 concerns of abuse raised during 2022-23, an increase of 9% on the previous year, which is the same annual growth rate as last year.

Here is a look at the figures visually.

The data for Wirral shows 3,960 safeguarding concerns submitted with Wirral Council with 655 of those Section 42 Safeguarding Enquiries.

The North West had the second highest figure for Safeguarding Concerns across all regions with 76,680 with only the South East above them with 103,350.

A section 42 enquiry relates to the duty of the Local Authority to make enquiries, or have others do so, if an adult may be at risk of abuse or neglect. 

From the 655 Section 42 Safeguarding Enquiries, 625 were "concluded".

These concluded enquiries are then split up into the 'type' of risk and 'location' of risk.

Neglect and acts of omission (defined as a failure to provide or allow access to food, shelter, clothing, heating, stimulation and activity, personal or medical care) was number one with 250, followed by physical abuse at 170.

For the location of risk, own home was at the top spot with 250, followed by in community service and care home - residential, both with 120.

Out of the 625 concluded enquiries, 415 saw a risk identified with action taken.

You can see all of the figures in the below table.

Compared to other North West councils, Halton Borough Council had just 390 concluded Section 42 enquiries and Sefton Council had just 460.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council had 820 concluded enquiries, topping Wirral.

What did Wirral Council say?

Cllr Janette Williamson, Chair of Wirral Council’s Adult Social Care and Health committee, said: "While the number of enquiries may have gone down compared to last year, this is not a statistic we use to measure effectiveness.

"Indeed, we are committed to encouraging everyone who might have a concern over someone to contact us so we can follow up and take whatever action is needed.

"We don’t want people to suffer in silence - we want safeguarding concerns out in the open where we are more readily able to support our residents.”

A Wirral Council spokesperson added: "Our safeguarding teams receive concerns about adults of all ages, from a variety of different sources.

"Safeguarding is a real spectrum and the concerns received can vary from requests for information or support, right through to reports of suspected abuse or neglect.

"Often reports come in from concerned neighbours, family or friends who might feel someone needs some additional support to stay safe and independent.

"Potential safeguarding concerns are most often identified in the place where the person lives, be that a care home, supported living or in the person’s own home.

"All safeguarding concerns that we receive are screened and individuals are supported proportionately to maintain their safety regardless of whether the concern progresses to a safeguarding enquiry or not."

For further information or support please visit the Wirral Safeguarding Adults Board website at www.wirralsapb.co.uk or contact the Central Advice and Duty Team on 0151 606 2006