First reported 16 Jan 2015•Latest report 30 Jan 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes dedicated failures in social care referral pathways, including referral identification, initiation, form or information requirements, allocation, prioritisation and response, where the failure risks a needed social care referral being delayed, misdirected or omitted.
Not included
Excludes generic workforce training deficiencies unless the training is specifically required for operating or safeguarding the social care referral pathway.
Excludes general social care capacity, placement or discharge-provision shortages that are not failures of the referral pathway.
Excludes referrals to unrelated services, including healthcare or mental health services, unless the assertion concerns a social care referral pathway.
Reports
15
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
19
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2015–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
35
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Bury Borough Council1
Cafcass1
Cann House Care Home1
Cardiff Council1
Care Quality Commission1
Department for Education1
Department of Health and Social Care1
Essex County Council1
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust1
Great Places Housing Association1
London Borough of Ealing1
London Borough of Islington1
Long Lartin Prison1
Manchester City Council1
Milton Keynes City Council1
English county council3
English metropolitan district council3
English unitary authority2
NHS trust2
Executive non-departmental public body1
Health and social care service regulator1
Integrated care board1
London borough council1
Ministerial department1
Nursing home1
Other public body1
Police force1
Prison or young offender institution1
Private limited company1
Registered provider of social housing1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
Concerns raised1
Failure to appropriately escalate concerns to Adult Social Care
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Remind staff to document and communicate concerns to Social Workers and Adult Social Care throughout residency.
Stated by Premiere Health LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 February 2026.
Action
Use a documented escalation procedure to notify placing authorities when needs may exceed home capability.
Stated by Premiere Health LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 February 2026.
Nottinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide previous PPNs to Adult Social Care when a current PPN is referred immediately
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Amend information-sharing processes so referred PPNs include relevant previously unshared PPNs from the preceding 12 months, commencing 1 October 2025.
Stated by Crime, Custody and Criminal JusticeStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 July 2025.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Confusing and delayed access to adult social care assessments for care leavers
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Roll out the formal local-authority assessment programme, including assessing Surrey County Council and using reported concerns to inform that assessment.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 February 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
At the time of Mr Baker’s death, CQC lacked statutory powers to assess Surrey County Council or other local authorities.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Existing locality, specialist and contact-centre arrangements provide clear pathways for eligible care leavers seeking adult social care support.
Stated by Surrey County CouncilExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Cumbria
Concerns raised1
Failure to generate required referrals before acknowledging notifications
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Introduce decision-making guidance for Single Point of Access and practitioner teams, including timely collaborative decisions, multidisciplinary input and streamlined referral allocation.
Stated by Westmorland and Furness CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 November 2023.
Action
Establish twice-daily multidisciplinary discussions to resolve concerns about incoming referrals and agree appropriate action promptly.
Stated by Westmorland and Furness CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 November 2023.
Action
Conduct a quality assurance and process-mapping review of reablement referrals to identify required improvements, including triage and delay reduction.
Stated by Westmorland and Furness CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 November 2023.
Action
Require staff to acknowledge action-requiring case notes only after completing the requested task.
Stated by Westmorland and Furness CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 November 2023.
Action
Conduct regular case-file audits of chronology and completed actions.
Stated by Westmorland and Furness CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 November 2023.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Lack of a mechanism for Social Services to become aware of adults at risk of neglect
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Review current multi-agency referral and monitoring arrangements for vulnerable adults.
Stated by Cardiff CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 July 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The decision not to refer for social work involvement was considered correct because existing referral processes were clear and appropriate.
Stated by Cardiff CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
A separate vulnerable-adults register was considered unnecessary because existing multi-agency monitoring and referral arrangements were sufficient and clearer.
Stated by Cardiff CouncilExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Failure to act on appropriate social care referrals
This report raised 12 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Deliver Section 117, Section 85, mental health and autism awareness training and awareness-raising for Children and Families staff.
Stated by Essex County CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 March 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The acknowledged shortcomings were not causation or contributory factors in Molly’s death.
Stated by Essex County CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
West London
Concerns raised1
Lack of a standard referral form for supported housing service users aged 16-25
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Worcestershire
Concerns raised2
Failure of the social care referral system to make referrals to the relevant Local Authority
Lack of training for identifying and making social care referrals
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Review the prison’s adult safeguarding policy.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
Action
Complete a memorandum of understanding with Worcestershire County Council to improve social care provision and procedures.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
Action
Develop and publish a directory of available social care interventions, including sensory impairment services.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
Action
Introduce a more user-friendly social care referral template.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
Action
Display posters promoting the new referral template and safeguarding policy.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
Action
Issue a staff notice explaining the new social care processes after completing the memorandum of understanding.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
Milton Keynes
Concerns raised2
Failure to give urgent adult social care assessment referrals sufficient priority within social services
Overly bureaucratic procedure for allocating and responding to urgent adult social care assessment referrals
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Embed identification of inpatients needing social care support in discharge planning to enable timely assessment before discharge.
Stated by Milton Keynes City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 January 2021.
Action
Employ a link social worker for the acute mental health ward to coordinate required social care assessments before discharge.
Stated by Milton Keynes City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 January 2021.
Action
Monitor team practice and monthly performance, including assessment timelines and casework reviews, through the Adult Leadership Team.
Stated by Milton Keynes City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 January 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The out-of-hours team does not complete adult social care assessments; required assessments are referred to the Access Team.
Stated by Milton Keynes City CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Failure of urgent referrals to receive a timely response
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.9
Action
Implement a dedicated out-of-hours workforce system for handling referrals.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Action
Give Social Care Direct access to extended-hours rotas, staff mobile numbers and a manager escalation contact for urgent referrals.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Action
Embed a referral-transfer process requiring dashboard entry and direct confirmation with the worker on shift.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Action
Revise and simplify the rota, adding contact numbers for workers, managers and teams.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Action
Establish an on-call rota identifying a manager responsible for out-of-hours periods.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Action
Distribute weekly rota emails with working arrangements and out-of-hours shift guidance, including instructions to check both Urgent Response Dashboards.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Action
Enable all Adult Triage workers to view both East and West Urgent Response Dashboards and monitor submitted referrals.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Action
Instruct out-of-hours Approved Mental Health Professionals to check the Urgent Response Dashboard when starting evening duty.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Action
Require core-hours Urgent Response workers to communicate follow-up requirements directly to extended-hours workers.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Adult Social Care considers its reviewed and strengthened systems sufficiently robust, so no additional actions are required following the report.
Stated by Wakefield City CouncilExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
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Includes dedicated failures in social care referral pathways, including referral identification, initiation, form or information requirements, allocation, prioritisation and response, where the failure risks a needed social care referral being delayed, misdirected or omitted.
