SPECIAL EDITION
Organisational abuse

We know from our Provider Learning Review (2025), as well as learning nationally, that the identification and tackling of organisational abuse is something that remains an issue for the safeguarding of adults with complex physical and mental health difficulties, and learning disabilities.

In this special edition newsletter we will be looking at the wealth of resources we have to support organisations in preventing, identifying, and responding to organisational abuse. We'll also be sharing information about how the local authority and its partner organisations are responding to organisational abuse in West Sussex.

Organisational abuse quick reference guide

Organisational abuse, also sometimes referred to as institutional abuse, is one of the ten types of abuse and neglect defined in the Care Act (2014). It refers to poor care or safeguarding risks, including neglect, because of the arrangements, processes, and practices within an institution or care setting.   Our quick reference guide takes you through what organisational abuse might look like; how it occurs; how we can mitigate against it; and what we can do about it. Key documents: Organisational abuse factsheet (PDF, 239KB)

Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures

The three Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board have published a new chapter of the Policy and Procedures, specifically looking at organisational abuse. The chapter includes information about indicators of, risk factors for, and responses to organisational abuse, as well as a section on local reporting procedures. 

Key documents:

• Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures | Organisational Abuse Chapter

Legal remedies to consider

The Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures also includes a chapter about legal remedies to be considered in adult safeguarding cases. 

In cases of organisational abuse, this may include:

• Corporate Homicide Act 2007
• Offences Against the Person Act 1861
• Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Section 17
• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• Protection from Harassment 1997
• Equality Act 2010

Key documents:

• Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures | Appendix 1: Legal remedies

Quality and Safeguarding Information Group

The Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Information subgroup, fondly known as QASIG, was created to develop a single picture of the quality and safety of the local care market. The focus of this group is on information-sharing between agencies and promoting collaborative working. They meet monthly and the group is co-chaired by representatives from West Sussex County Council and the Integrated Care Board.

In our Provider Learning Review it was suggested that QASIG, "was believed to have resulted in better alignment in processes, improved sharing of intelligence and greater understanding of where improvement in care quality is needed" (2025, p. 38).

If you have soft intelligence that you would like to share with QASIG, you can do so through your Board representative, or the Board Support Team. 

The West Sussex County Council quality pathway

Our Kingswood Organisational Learning Review (2021) and our Safeguarding Adults Review in respect of DJT (2023) told us that learning across agencies is needed regarding the difference between quality and safeguarding concerns. In response to these reports, we developed our Quality and Safeguarding Learning Briefing, highlighting the interface between quality and safeguarding, what good care looks like, and how to raise quality concerns.  If you do need to raise a quality concern West Sussex County Council (WSCC) have a pathway for care providers and care professionals external to WSCC to report quality issues. Visit Raise an issue about the quality of a care service for more information. Key documents: Quality and Safeguarding Learning Briefing (PDF, 185KB)

Operational Framework for Managing Provider Concerns

This document underpins the Pan Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures. It seeks to outline the operational framework for managing safeguarding provider concerns.

A provider concern should be triggered where there are significant safeguarding concerns or multiple Section 42 safeguarding enquiries and a wider public interest issue/possible risk to other adults. This includes all adults who are supported by the provider, irrespective of who is commissioning their care.

Key documents:

• Operational Framework for Managing Provider Concerns (PDF, 244KB)

Strategic Provider Concerns Group Protocol

The purpose of the Strategic Provider Concerns Group is to provide strategic direction and support where there is evidence of significant provider concerns in relation to organisational abuse and neglect in a domiciliary or care home provider, or another provider organisation.

The group will usually be initiated by referral to it, either following or during a Provider Concerns process. The referral may come either directly from the Provider Concerns Process, or via the Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Information subgroup.

Key documents:

• Strategic Provider Concerns Group Protocol (PDF, 178KB)

Sussex Safeguarding Adults Thresholds Guidance

The Sussex Safeguarding Adults Thresholds guidance provides staff with examples of the different categories of abuse, and the best course of action for non-reportable, requires consultation, and reportable issues. This includes guidance about incidents of organisational abuse (page 14). If you are considering raising a safeguarding concern, you should consult this document before doing so. Key documents: Safeguarding Thresholds: Guidance for Professionals (PDF, 456KB) Safeguarding Thresholds | Summary Guidance (PDF, 202KB)

Regulation 18: Notification of other incidents

This guidance has been produced for care providers, with the intention of summarising and clarifying the events or occurrences that must be notified to CQC. This guidance is not exhaustive, and should be read alongside the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009: Regulation 18 (CQC, 2024). A full list of reportable incidents can be found in the regulation text. This guidance does not apply to health service bodies, the local authority, or providers of primary medical services. These services must refer to the regulation in full for guidance on their responsibilities. Key documents: Regulation 18: Notification of Other Incidents | Summary Guidance (PDF, 208KB)

For further information, visit:

• How CQC identifies and responds to closed cultures (2022)
• Provider Learning Review report (PDF, 805KB)
• Safeguarding Adult Review report in respect of DJT (PDF, 431KB)
• Kingswood Organisational Learning Review (PDF, 215KB)

West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board
Making Safeguarding Personal

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