In Camden, safeguarding concerns may be received in a variety of ways, including through SAPB referral forms, emails, and direct contact from professionals, partner agencies or members of the public.

Once a concern is received, it is recorded on a Section 42(1) information gathering document. This document is used to summarise the presenting concerns, consider any immediate risks to the adult, and support early engagement with the person concerned wherever possible. As part of this stage, the local authority reviews the available information against the three statutory criteria set out in Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 to determine whether a statutory safeguarding enquiry is required, or whether alternative action is more appropriate. This approach supports proportionate decision making and ensures that safeguarding principles and the wellbeing duty are applied at the earliest point.

As outlined in the London Multi Agency Policy and Procedures (November 2025), there are four stages that should be followed when undertaking a Section 42 enquiry. The process is intended to be flexible, person led and outcome focused, and should be applied in a way that reflects the individual circumstances of each case.

Stage one: Concerns

A concern is raised about an adult who has, or appears to have, care and support needs and who may be experiencing, or be at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs may be unable to protect themselves.

At this stage, the local authority must consider the immediate safety of the adult, assess presenting risks, and gather sufficient information to inform decision making. In Camden, this is undertaken through the Section 42(1) information gathering document. Early contact with the adult should be made wherever possible to understand their views, wishes and circumstances.

The outcome of this stage is a clearly recorded and defensible decision as to whether the three statutory criteria under Section 42 are met and whether a statutory safeguarding enquiry is required, or whether other appropriate action should be taken. Where the criteria are not met, safeguarding principles and the wellbeing duty continue to apply.

Stage two: Enquiry

Where the local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that the Section 42 criteria are met, it must make, or cause to be made, whatever enquiries it considers necessary to decide what action should be taken and by whom. In Camden, this is recorded on a separate Section 42(2) enquiry document.

The purpose of the Section 42(2) enquiry is to establish whether abuse or neglect has occurred or is occurring, to prevent or stop it, and to reduce the risk of recurrence. Enquiries should be proportionate to the level of risk, outcome focused, and involve the adult as fully as possible, taking account of their views, wishes and desired outcomes.

Enquiries may be undertaken by the local authority or delegated to an appropriate partner agency, with the local authority retaining overall responsibility for coordination, oversight, assurance and formal recording on MOSAIC.

Stage three: Safeguarding plan and review

Where required, a safeguarding or protection plan should be developed following the Section 42(2) enquiry. The plan should set out the actions needed to address identified risks, who is responsible for each action, and agreed timescales.

The safeguarding plan should be developed in partnership with the adult and relevant agencies, and be clearly linked to the outcomes the adult wants to achieve, in line with Making Safeguarding Personal. The review process evaluates the effectiveness of the plan in reducing or managing risk and considers whether further action is required. Plans should be reviewed and updated if risks or circumstances change.

Stage four: Closing the enquiry

A safeguarding enquiry can be closed at any stage where it is appropriate to do so. Closure decisions must be clearly recorded and include the rationale for the decision, how risks have been addressed or managed, and the views of the adult.

At the point of closure, the adult should be informed of the outcome and provided with information about who to contact if further concerns arise. Closure should evidence that safeguarding principles, proportionality and the wellbeing duty have been applied throughout the process.

There is detailed guidance for recording section 42.1, section 42.2, and out of borough workflows in our Mosaic section. 

Safeguarding forms, including meeting templates and multi-agency referral and request forms, should be used when conducting each stage of the enquiry.

Further information on section 42.1 and section 42.2 enquiries is available in the ADASS guidance note.