Exploring the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in an analysis of Safeguarding Adults Reviews in South Yorkshire

Purpose This paper aims to explore the links between being lonely and isolated, and increased risks of abuse for adults with care and support needs. Design/methodology/approach Thematic analysis was used to explore features of loneliness and social isolation present in South Yorkshire Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) published since 2014. Findings Ten out of fifteen SARs indicated there had been issues of loneliness and/or social isolation for the person who was the subject of the SAR. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this paper are that it only included SARs from the South Yorkshire area. Future research should explore national and international perspectives on these issues. Practical implications Safeguarding Boards should include actions to address loneliness and social isolation as part of prevention strategies and services to develop approaches that can minimise or prevent abuse before it occurs. Practitioners should routinely explore whether the people they work with feel lonely and/or isolated and support people to take appropriate action to mitigate these risks. Originality/value This paper uses the existing body of literature about loneliness and social isolation to explore the risks of abuse and neglect for adults with care and support needs.