Decision Making Guidance

Gateshead SAB Decision Making Guidance and Tool - 2026 update

The Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) has reviewed and updated its Decision Making Guidance and Decision Making Tool for practitioners and providers working with adults who have care and support needs. These resources are designed to help you make informed decisions about the most appropriate pathway when concerns arise.

The guidance outlines three key pathways:

• Recordable incidents - lower-level issues that should be managed internally by providers.
• Provider service concerns - quality of care issues that require action but not a safeguarding referral.
• Statutory safeguarding adult referral - when criteria under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 are met.

The accompanying Decision Making Tool provides practical examples and actions for different types of concerns, including physical, emotional, financial, and organisational abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and other safeguarding issues.

These revisions have been developed in consultation with partners and providers, including Healthwatch to ensure clarity and consistency across Gateshead.

Access the updated documents here:

• Gateshead SAB Decision-Making Guidance 2026 V1 (PDF, 223 KB)
• Gateshead SAB Decision-Making Tool 2026 V1 (PDF, 343 KB)

Why it matters

Clear and consistent decision-making is vital to safeguarding adults effectively. These updated resources:

• support timely and proportionate responses to concerns
• reduce unnecessary delays in accessing care and support
• help practitioners and providers distinguish between quality issues and safeguarding concerns
• promote a shared understanding across agencies, improving outcomes for adults at risk