Issue

safeguarding concerns

4 stories · 4 councils

Hackney and Richmond councils are addressing a rise in adult safeguarding concerns, while Bexley schools are implementing a mobile phone ban.

Councils are currently grappling with a significant increase in adult safeguarding concerns. In September 2026, a report to Hackney's Adults Health and Integration Scrutiny Commission revealed that concerns tripled from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26, with increased complexity and volume. Similarly, Richmond's Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report for 2025-26 highlighted self-neglect as the most prevalent concern, accounting for 28% of cases, followed by neglect and financial abuse.

Regarding children's well-being, Bexley schools are set to implement a ban on mobile phones for pupils by September 2026, a decision discussed by the Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee in June 2026. Separately, Greenwich councillors deferred a decision on a proposed house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Kidbrooke in October 2025, citing safeguarding concerns and requesting input from children's services.

Key facts

  1. Hackney's safeguarding concerns tripled from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26, as a report revealed in September 2026. Source
  2. Self-neglect accounted for 28% of safeguarding concerns in Richmond in 2025-26, according to the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report. Source
  3. Bexley schools are implementing a ban on mobile phones for pupils by September 2026, discussed by the Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Source
  4. Greenwich councillors deferred a decision on a proposed HMO in Kidbrooke in October 2025 due to safeguarding concerns. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Safeguarding Concerns in Hackney Triple, Report Highlights Rise in Self-Neglect and Younger Adult Cases Safeguarding concerns in Hackney have tripled in the past year, with the number of reported cases rising from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26, a report presented to the... Hackney 24 September 2026
  2. Self-Neglect Tops Adult Abuse Concerns in Richmond, Safeguarding Report Reveals Self-neglect has emerged as the most prevalent form of abuse concerning adults in Richmond, according to the latest Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report. Richmond upon Thames 10 September 2026
  3. Bexley schools to go mobile-free by September 2026 Bexley schools are set to implement a ban on mobile phones for pupils by September 2026, aligning with new government guidance. The decision, discussed at the Children's... Bexley 1 July 2026
  4. Greenwich Council defers decision on Kidbrooke HMO due to safeguarding concerns Greenwich councillors have deferred a decision on a proposed house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Kidbrooke, citing safeguarding concerns. The Local Planning Committee, during... Greenwich 1 November 2025