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Report a concern about an attorney, deputy or guardian - GOV.UK
Report a concern about an attorney, deputy or guardian - GOV.UK
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Report a concern about an attorney, deputy or guardian
You can report a concern if you’re worried about the behaviour of an attorney, deputy or guardian. These are people chosen to manage someone else’s money, property or decisions.
This guide is also available
in Welsh (Cymraeg)
Report a concern if the person
lives in Scotland
or
lives in Northern Ireland
When to report a concern
Report a concern if you think an attorney, deputy or guardian is:
not acting in the person’s best interests
using money or property in the wrong way
not doing their job properly
abusing their position
not following the legal rules of their role
You do not need proof to report a concern.
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) can only investigate in certain cases. This is when the person who is having decisions made for them does not have the mental capacity to deal with the issue themselves.
Who can report a concern
Anyone can report a concern, including:
the person being supported
family members or friends
professionals, such as care workers or bank staff
members of the public
You can report a concern even if it does not affect you directly.
The OPG will not tell the attorney, deputy or guardian where the report has come from.
If you’re reporting on behalf of a public authority, do your own safeguarding checks first.
Information you’ll be asked for
When you report a concern, you will be asked to give:
information about the person who is having decisions made for them
information about the attorney, deputy or guardian
your name and contact details
what has happened
dates, amounts of money or examples, if you have them
You can still report a concern if you do not have all of this information.
Report a concern online
Start now
You’ll be asked questions about the person having decisions made for them. They are known as the ‘donor’ or ‘P’.
Other ways you can report a concern
If you cannot use the online service, you can report a concern by:
filling in a form
and sending it by email or post
calling the OPG
sending an email
sending a letter
Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)
opg.safeguardingunit@publicguardian.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 0300
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 0300 123 1300
From outside the UK: +44 (0)203 518 9639
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Wednesday, 10am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Office of the Public Guardian
PO Box 16185
Birmingham
B2 2WH
What happens after you report a concern
The OPG will decide if they are allowed by law to investigate.
They might:
contact you for more information
contact the attorney, deputy or guardian
decide no more action is needed
The OPG might take legal action or apply to the
Court of Protection
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