Nearly 20,000 safeguarding concerns involving individuals aged 65 and over have been reported to Birmingham City Council over the past three years, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed.
The FOI, published on Whatdotheyknow on May 5, 2026, shows that between the 2023-24 and 2025-26 financial years, the council received 19,303 safeguarding concerns for this age group, encompassing allegations of all types of abuse. Of these, 941 involved allegations of domestic abuse.
Birmingham City Council does not commission domestic abuse services specifically for those aged 65 and over. However, older adults experiencing domestic abuse are supported through general domestic abuse commissioned services and the statutory adult safeguarding process, where the Care Act criteria apply. A Safeguarding Plan may be developed if needed, ensuring coordinated, long-term, and proportionate support based on the individual's desired outcomes.
Those who do not meet safeguarding thresholds continue to receive support through the wider domestic abuse system, according to BirminghamLive.
The council has a Birmingham Domestic Abuse Prevention Strategy 2024+, which adopts a whole-life approach to tackling domestic abuse. This strategy is intended to remain in place until 2029, with a review scheduled for 2027.
A council spokesperson said: "Birmingham City Council takes all safeguarding concerns seriously and has robust processes in place to respond to the wide range of referrals it receives. The figures reflect the scale and complexity of a large city, with each concern reviewed and risk assessed, and action taken in line with statutory duties to protect those at risk. We work closely with partners, including health, police and the community sector, to ensure a coordinated response to safeguarding risks, including domestic abuse, and to provide appropriate support to individuals. We continue to strengthen our safeguarding arrangements, with recent Care Quality Commission feedback recognising the progress made."
