Safeguarding isn’t a form. It isn’t a tick-box.
It’s how a community decides to notice what’s happening around it — and act when something feels wrong.
If you live or work in Pembrokeshire, you’re part of that safety net: Whether you’re a neighbour, a friend, a volunteer, a support worker, or a manager, you influence how safe adults feel in real life, not just on paper.
Safeguarding doesn’t end at 18. Adults can be — and are — at risk. From coercive control to financial abuse, from neglect to organisational failure, harm can be quiet, everyday, and hidden in plain sight.
This guide explains what safeguarding is, how harm shows up, and what to do next — including when the concern involves a professional.
Safeguarding belongs to all of us.
This guide brings together not only the legal definitions and duties but also the local network of organisations that make safety possible — from early intervention to advocacy, housing, mental health, and community connection.
Each plays a part in prevention, early help, and recovery.
What Safeguarding Means
Safeguarding means protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect — and knowing what to do if you think someone might be at risk. In Wales, adult safeguarding is guided by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the Wales Safeguarding Procedures.
The five safeguarding principles
- Prevention — stop abuse before it happens through awareness and early help.
- Protection — support people who are at immediate risk.
- Empowerment — help individuals make their own decisions and understand their rights.
- Proportionality — respond appropriately to the level of risk.
- Partnership — services and communities work together so no one slips through the gaps.
Definition of an Adult at Risk (Wales)
Under Section 126(1) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014:
An “adult at risk” is an adult who (a) is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, (b) has needs for care and support (whether or not those needs are being met), and (c) as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
Practice (Wales Safeguarding Procedures, 2019): applies to anyone 18+ meeting the definition; abuse can occur in any setting; perpetrators can be family, friends, carers (paid/unpaid), professionals, volunteers, or strangers; capacity is not a barrier; risk is sufficient to report; there is a duty to report to the Local Authority and to share relevant information lawfully to protect the person.
Safeguarding, Equality and Inclusion
Safeguarding is also about equity, dignity and respect. Harm grows not only from violence or neglect, but also from discrimination, exclusion, and cultures that tolerate bullying or unequal treatment.
Forms of abuse and neglect:
- Physical abuse — assault, rough handling, inappropriate restraint, misuse of medication.
- Emotional or psychological abuse — threats, intimidation, humiliation, persistent criticism, verbal abuse, controlling behaviour.
- Bullying — repeated behaviour causing distress or fear; verbal, physical, online, workplace, or within care/peer settings.
- Sexual abuse — sexual activity without consent or capacity, unwanted touching, sexualised comments, exploitation.
- Financial or material abuse — theft, fraud, pressure or control around money, property, or benefits.
- Neglect and acts of omission — failure to meet physical or emotional needs or to follow care plans.
- Self-neglect — a person’s own behaviour places them at risk of serious harm.
- Domestic abuse — controlling, coercive, threatening, violent or abusive behaviour between partners or family members.
- Modern slavery and human trafficking — exploitation through forced labour, servitude, sexual exploitation.
- Discriminatory abuse — harassment, exclusion, or unequal treatment based on protected characteristics.
- Organisational abuse — unsafe cultures or routines in services that deny dignity, choice, or independence.
Inclusive practice — clear communication, cultural awareness, and respect for difference — is primary prevention. A fair culture is a safe culture.
How to Report Concerns (Adults and Children)
If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is suspected: call 999.
Non-emergency police: 101 (textphone 18001 101).
Adults at Risk (18+) — Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire County Council — Adult Safeguarding Team (lead authority)
Office hours: 01437 776056
Emergency Duty Team (out of hours): 0300 123 5519
Web: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/adult-safeguarding
If a registered care service is involved, also inform Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW): 0300 7900 126 | ciw@gov.wales | https://careinspectorate.wales
If your concern involves the conduct of a registered worker, inform Social Care Wales (SCW): 029 2078 0675 | enquiries@socialcare.wales | https://socialcare.wales
Children at Risk (under 18) — Pembrokeshire
Report concerns about a child via:
Pembrokeshire County Council Children’s Services:
Office Hours: 01437 764551 | Emergency Duty Team (out of hours): 0300 123 5519
NSPCC Helpline (adults concerned about a child): 0808 800 5000 | https://www.nspcc.org.uk
Childline (for children/young people): 0800 1111 | https://www.childline.org.uk
You do not investigate — you report what you’ve seen, heard, or are worried about. Welsh law is designed for early intervention based on risk.
Statutory Safeguarding Authorities (Lead Agencies)
Pembrokeshire County Council — Adult Safeguarding Team
Lead authority for adult safeguarding; coordinates enquiries, risk management, and protection plans.
01437 776056 (office hours) | 0300 123 5519 (Emergency Duty Team)
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/adult-safeguarding
Pembrokeshire County Council Children’s Services:
Office Hours: 01437 764551 | Emergency Duty Team (out of hours): 0300 123 5519
Dyfed-Powys Police
Criminal offences and urgent protection; joint work with the Local Authority.
Emergency 999 | Non-emergency 101 (textphone 18001 101)
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Safeguarding in hospitals and community health; “Putting Things Right” patient support/complaints.
0300 0200 159 | hdhb.patientsupportservices@wales.nhs.uk | https://hduhb.nhs.wales
CWMPAS Regional Safeguarding Board
Regional coordination for adult safeguarding across Mid & West Wales.
cwmpas@pembrokeshire.gov.uk | https://www.cysur.wales
Regulatory & Professional Oversight Bodies
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) — regulator of registered care services; inspection and enforcement.
0300 7900 126 | ciw@gov.wales | https://careinspectorate.wales
Social Care Wales (SCW) — workforce regulator; registration and fitness-to-practise.
029 2078 0675 | enquiries@socialcare.wales | https://socialcare.wales
Public Services Ombudsman for Wales — independent investigations into unresolved complaints about public bodies.
0300 790 0203 | ask@ombudsman.wales | https://www.ombudsman.wales
Safeguarding Beyond the Statutory Framework
Safeguarding doesn’t end with investigations or protection plans. The wider community holds much of the preventative power. The conditions that raise risk — poverty, isolation, poor mental health, housing insecurity, and lack of inclusion — are addressed every day by non-statutory organisations.
Why Sections 7–11 matter:
Early intervention & youth support help people long before crisis, building resilience and safety from the start (see Section 7).
Advocacy & advice services empower people to understand rights, be heard, and access safeguarding processes — independent of statutory authority (see Section 8).
Housing and financial support services prevent neglect, homelessness, and exploitation (see Section 9).
Mental-health and wellbeing projects reduce isolation, improve resilience, and spot risk early (see Section 10).
Community-engagement groups build belonging and informal oversight (see Section 11).
Together these services form Pembrokeshire’s safeguarding ecosystem — prevention, inclusion, and early help woven through everyday community life.
Early Intervention and Youth Support
The Megan Starr Foundation — counselling, peer support, and volunteering for young people across Pembrokeshire; responds to bullying and mental-health stigma with early help.
01646 601 998 | info@meganstarrfoundation.org.uk | https://www.meganstarrfoundation.org.uk
TGP Cymru — Mid & West Wales Advocacy Service — independent advocacy for children and young people (up to 25, depending on service) in care/child protection processes or complaints about social services.
0808 168 2599 | https://www.tgpcymru.org.uk
Advocacy and Advice Services
Advocacy West Wales — statutory IMCA, IMHA and IPA advocacy for adults across the Hywel Dda region.
0808 196 2424 | info@advocacywestwales.org.uk | https://www.advocacywestwales.org.uk
Pembrokeshire People First — member-led advocacy for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
01437 769135 | info@pembrokeshirepeople1st.org.uk | https://www.pembrokeshirepeople1st.org.uk
Dyfed Community Advocacy & Guidance (DCAG) — independent community advocacy helping adults understand safeguarding routes, explore options, and connect with the appropriate statutory agencies and authorities.
01437 601 204 | administrator@dyfed-community-advocacy-guidance.co.uk
https://www.dyfed-community-advocacy-guidance.co.uk | https://www.facebook.com/DyfedCommunityAdvocacyandGuidance
3 CIPA — Independent Professional Advocacy (Mid & West Wales) — regional adult IPA service.
0800 206 1387 | info@cipawales.org.uk | https://www.cipawales.org.uk
Housing, Financial Stability and Prevention
Pembrokeshire Action for The Homeless (PATH) — homelessness prevention and tenancy support.
01437 765335 | info@pathpembrokeshire.co.uk | https://www.pathpembrokeshire.co.uk
Pembrokeshire Care Society — tenancy support and housing-related assistance; mediation.
01437 765335 | admin@pembrokeshirecaresociety.org.uk | https://www.pembrokeshirecaresociety.org.uk
Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire — free, confidential advice on benefits, housing, debt, employment and consumer rights.
0800 702 2020 | advice@pembscab.org | https://www.pembscab.org
PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship) — foodbanks and emergency support.
01437 765335 | info@patchcharity.org.uk | https://www.patchcharity.org.uk
Goleudy — Pembrokeshire Floating Support — tenancy support for people 16+ who are homeless or at risk.
01646 597000 | pembrokeshire@goleudy.org | https://goleudy.org/our-services/preventing-homelessness/pembrokeshire-floating-support
The Wallich — “Making Space” Pembrokeshire — support around hoarding/self-neglect to maintain safe homes and wellbeing.
01437 647113 | MakingSpace@thewallich.net | https://thewallich.com/services/making-space-pembrokeshire
Mental Health, Isolation and Community Support
Pembrokeshire Mind — community mental-health support, counselling, wellbeing courses; Housing Support Project for tenancy sustainment.
01437 769982 | admin@pembrokeshiremind.org.uk | https://www.pembrokeshiremind.org.uk
The VC Gallery — art-based therapy, creative workshops and inclusion projects for veterans, older adults and vulnerable people.
01437 765873 | contact@thevcgallery.com | https://www.thevcgallery.com
Pembrokeshire FRAME — social enterprise offering work experience, recycling/upcycling projects and employment support.
01437 779442 | info@pembrokeshire-frame.org.uk | https://www.pembrokeshire-frame.org.uk
The DPJ Foundation — rural mental-health support for people in agriculture; 24/7 helpline and counselling (“Share the Load”).
Helpline 0800 587 4262 | Text 07860 048799 | https://www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk
Get The Boys A Lift — Haverfordwest-based social enterprise providing affordable counselling and community outreach, particularly for men and younger adults.
https://www.gettheboysalift.co.uk
Cruse Bereavement Support (West Wales) — free bereavement support for adults and children.
0808 808 1677 | https://www.cruse.org.uk
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home — end-of-life nursing care, equipment and bereavement support.
01437 763223 | enquiries@paulsartori.org | https://www.paulsartori.org
Age Cymru Dyfed — advice, advocacy and wellbeing activities for older adults across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.
03333 447874 | enquiries@agecymrudyfed.org.uk | https://www.agecymrudyfed.org.uk
Community Engagement and Volunteering
Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) — umbrella body for the voluntary sector; governance, training, volunteering, safeguarding signposting.
01437 769422 | enquiries@pavs.org.uk | https://www.pavs.org.uk
Community Hub Pembrokeshire (PAVS) — single contact point for local help, volunteering and wellbeing information.
01437 776444 | https://www.pembrokeshirecommunityhub.org
Men’s Sheds Cymru / Pembrokeshire Sheds — community groups reducing isolation among men through practical activities and conversation.
https://www.mensshedscymru.co.uk
HaverHub — community-run venue in Haverfordwest hosting wellbeing sessions, support groups and outreach events.
01437 807224 | info@haverhub.org.uk | https://www.haverhub.org.uk
Haverfordwest Community Garden — volunteer-led wellbeing project offering gardening, peer support and connection.
Facebook: Haverfordwest Community Garden
References and Useful Links
Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2014/4
Wales Safeguarding Procedures (Adults at Risk) — https://www.safeguarding.wales
Care Inspectorate Wales — https://careinspectorate.wales
Social Care Wales — https://socialcare.wales
CWMPAS Regional Safeguarding Board — https://www.cysur.wales
Public Services Ombudsman for Wales — https://www.ombudsman.wales
Dyfed-Powys Police — https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk
Pembrokeshire County Council Children / Adult Safeguarding
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/adult-safeguarding
NSPCC (adults concerned about a child) — https://www.nspcc.org.uk | 0808 800 5000
Childline (for children/young people) — https://www.childline.org.uk | 0800 1111
