Safeguarding and supporting vulnerable customers
We're committed to working with others to ensure that people who live in our homes (and/or receive services provided by us) are able to live free from abuse. Our Safeguarding Service focuses on protecting tenants and customers by addressing concerns about their well-being. Our service handles referrals from staff, tenants, and external agencies, ensuring all safeguarding issues are addressed promptly. The team conducts timely safeguarding visits, to assess risks and collaborate with internal and external services, including the police, fire department, and social services.
We’re continuing to see an increase in customers needing support due to family issues, domestic abuse and homelessness prevention, as well as increasing complexity of issues.
Through our commissioned contracts with Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust, we’ve built strong partnerships that allow us to work collaboratively to provide the best outcomes for our customers and offer specialist training for our staff.
Our DTOC (Delayed Transfer of Care) service received 12 months of additional funding to support people facing housing challenges so that they can safely move from hospital to a new home.
In 2023/24, we received 851 referrals into our Safeguarding Services. This included support for:
survivors of domestic abuse.
families with complex issues supported by our Family Intervention Team.
people to prevent homelessness.
We’ll keep working with partners to make sure we offer a multi-agency approach across all our support services.
The year ahead
We’ll keep collaborating closely with our residents and organisational partners to keep people in our communities safe.
We’re currently working with our Health and Social Care Partners to build virtual “Neighbourhood” teams that combine health, housing and social care professionals. This will allow us to provide a comprehensive wrap-around approach to our vulnerable customers.
How to get help
If you’re at immediate risk from a family member or partner, please get to a place of safety and call 999.
For non-emergency support in Bolton please contact:
Fortalice on 01204 365677 (24-hour line),
Endeavour on 01204 394842 (9.30am to 5pm and there is an out of hours answer service).
You can also report safeguarding concerns to us on 01204 328008 or email safeguarding@boltonathome.org.uk.
Details of national and local agencies offering help, at www.boltonathome.org.uk/domestic-abuse.
Always phone 999 if you or your children are at immediate risk of harm.