Harm refers to any negative impact on an individual’s physical, mental, emotional, or social well-being. It can result from actions or omissions, whether intentional or unintentional. Recognising harm is the first step in preventing it and ensuring that care services are safe and effective.

Harm is any physical injury, suffering, psychological trauma, or emotional distress caused during an interaction with health and social care services. Harm can be a result of errors, neglect, abuse, and even system failures.

Harm means ill-treatment or the impairment of health or development, including for example impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. Development means physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development. Health means physical or mental health.

The primary goal of safeguarding is to protect individuals from various forms of harm. Harm can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. It can also result from neglect or abuse. It is important to recognise the signs and act promptly to address concerns. Prevention is better than cure.

Understand principles of safeguarding adults ‘Harm’ usually refers to damage that is caused deliberately and can be broadly split into four categories: Adults that receive care services are often more vulnerable to harm and so measures should be taken to ensure their welfare.