Exploring Emerging Approaches to Protecting Adults at Risk
- rachmunda
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Safeguarding has long focused on identifying abuse or neglect within individual or family settings. But in today’s evolving world, risks don’t always fit traditional categories; and neither should our safeguarding responses. Below, we explore some of the emerging approaches shaping more responsive and inclusive safeguarding practice.
1. Contextual Safeguarding.
What is it?
Developed in youth safeguarding, contextual safeguarding is an approach that recognises that children and young people can be at risk of harm not just from their families,but also in their schools, neighbourhoods and online environments. In adult safeguarding, it's about expanding the focus to consider how environments such as shared accommodation, community spaces, and peer groups may contribute to risk. This is particularly relevant in settings like supported housing, where individuals often live alongside others with complex needs.
Why it matters:
In supported housing, concerns such as exploitation, bullying, or coercive relationships can arise between residents. Contextual safeguarding looks at these external influences and creates interventions that address the broader context and not just the individual.
In Practice:
Engage housing providers, community teams, and residents themselves in identifying risks and shaping responses.
2. Transitional Safeguarding
What is it?
Transitional safeguarding addresses the "cliff edge" of support when young people reach 18 and shift from children’s to adults’ services. It acknowledges that risk doesn’t suddenly disappear at adulthood and that the transition period itself can be a time of heightened vulnerability.
Why it matters:
Neuroscience shows that the brain continues developing into the mid-20s; particularly in areas relating to judgement and impulse control. Yet support often drops off abruptly at 18, leaving young adults like care leavers, those with learning needs, or survivors of exploitation unsupported.
In Practice:
Think developmentally, not just chronologically. Work across services to build continuity of care and extend safeguarding approaches into early adulthood.
3. Corporate Safeguarding
What is it?
Corporate safeguarding refers to the responsibilities of businesses; particularly those who serve vulnerable groups (e.g., banks, telecoms, utilities, transport) to prevent harm and abuse within their interactions.
Why it matters:
Scams, fraud, and financial abuse often exploit trust or technology. Businesses have a role in prevention, by identifying suspicious activity, training staff, and creating safer customer experiences.
In Practice:
Embed safeguarding into corporate policies, staff training, and complaints procedures. Encourage a culture where staff feel confident to raise concerns.
4. Digital Safeguarding
What is it?
Digital safeguarding addresses risks that arise from online life such as grooming, exploitation, scams, hate speech, or misinformation.
Why it matters:
With an increased reliance in the world on digital services for social interaction, banking, and healthcare, there is increasing concern on digital exclusion and online risks can have serious consequences for adults at risk. Some may be unaware of how to stay safe online, or may be targeted due to cognitive or mental health issues.
In Practice:
Build digital literacy and offer support to understand online safety. Safeguarding policies should consider online abuse alongside physical or emotional harm.
Safeguarding must continue to evolve. It’s not just about protecting individuals from harm, but about promoting safety, dignity, and autonomy across all settings. By recognising emerging risks, we can better support people in understanding how systems and environments themselves can contribute to harm.
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