Website of the Department of Health

Government consults on safeguarding vulnerable adults

Care Services Minister Phil Hope today launched a consultation on how to improve safeguarding policy,  the protection of vulnerable adults, and address abuse in all its forms in the care system.

The 'No Secrets' guidance for local authorities, the police and the NHS to work together to protect adults is already in place. The Government now wants to make sure it keeps up with changes in the social care system, with the new emphasis on choice and control and changing forms of abuse.

Key issues on which Government is seeking views are:

• Whether there is now a need for legislation
• The feasibility of a national database of recommendations from serious case reviews where abuse has occurred
• What new measures are needed in the face of increased 'personalisation' of care with more people now being in charge of their own care instead of local authorities
• What new measures are needed in the face of changing forms of abuse, such as financial abuse.

• Full news story (opens new window)
• Consultation on the review of the No Secrets guidance