Self-neglect has emerged as the most prevalent form of abuse concerning adults in Richmond, according to the latest Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report.
The report highlighted that self-neglect accounted for 28% of safeguarding concerns in 2025-26, a significant increase from the previous year. This was followed by neglect and acts of omission at 25%, and financial or material abuse, which notably increased to 15%.
Fiona Martin, Chair of the Safeguarding Adults Board, stated, The report shows that self-neglect is now the most commonly recorded type of abuse in Richmond. That's followed by neglect and acts of omission and financial or material abuse.
The report indicated that while overall safeguarding concerns saw a slight increase, the number of formal enquiries decreased. However, the conversion rate of concerns to enquiries remained broadly stable at 25%. This rate continues to sit below the national average of 32%, and is a slight decrease from the 26% recorded in 2024/25.
Despite the rise in self-neglect cases, the report provided positive assurance regarding the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements in Richmond. The report provides strong assurance in this area. The vast majority of people who expressed desired outcomes through the safeguarding process had those outcomes fully or partially achieved, risk was reduced or removed in almost all cases, and most people reported feeling as safe as they wished to be following safeguarding intervention,
Martin added.
The report also detailed achievements in prevention and early intervention, including the establishment of a Voluntary and Community Sector Safeguarding Forum, strengthened engagement with faith communities, and vulnerability training for housing staff. Looking ahead, priorities for 2026/27 include improving responses to self-neglect and complex vulnerability, and strengthening data analysis to better understand emerging risks.
