The most
vulnerable people in society will be better protected by local
agencies such as councils, the police and the NHS, Care Services
Minister Phil Hope announced today.
In response to the Government’s consultation on strengthening
protection for vulnerable adults, new legislation will be
introduced to enshrine in law the need for every local area to
have in place a Safeguarding Adults Board – a body made up of the
local social services authority, the police, the NHS and working
with all other groups involved in protecting vulnerable adults.
The board will ensure that vulnerable adults who suffer abuse will
have quick and easy access to the people who can help them best.
The Government, working with stakeholders, will now set in train
a programme of work to lead and support all agencies involved in
safeguarding adults. It will ensure that everyone involved in the
care of vulnerable adults has the skills to protect them.
There will also be a new cross Government Ministerial group which
will oversee the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, set
priorities, work up new policy and provide national leadership.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope, said:
“Vulnerable adults deserve the best protection we can give them -
that often means many local agencies being involved in their care.
“We are going to make it law that every local area must have a
Safeguarding Adults Board to look after the most vulnerable
people. Some areas already do this and they do it well but I want
it to be mandatory and effective for everyone.
“A new Ministerial group will oversee the safeguarding of
vulnerable adults. Along with Ministerial colleagues across
Government, I will set priorities, new policy and provide a
strategic co-ordination role. Our first goal will be to push
through legislation on Safeguarding Adults Boards and to issue new
and improved guidance.
“I would like to thank all those who contributed to this work.”
Mind's Chief Executive Paul Farmer said:
"People with mental health problems can often face
isolation and can be dependent upon care and support that is
provided by strangers. We have seen that when agencies work
together with people with mental health problems they can prevent
abuse from occurring and can ensure that justice is done. By
giving priority to this issue the Government is helping to reduce
the risk of abuse. Mind has heard many examples where people have
been exploited by those tasked with supporting them, such as the
woman whose neighbour did her weekly grocery shop but also helped
herself to £14,000 of her money and yet her care workers did not
notice. We look forward to working with the Government to produce
new guidance that will better safeguard the rights of people in
vulnerable circumstances."
Chief Constable Richard Crompton, the Association of Chief Police
Officers’ lead on vulnerable adults said:
“On behalf of the Police Service, ACPO made a major contribution
to the ‘No Secret’ consultation. We are pleased to see that many
of the points we made are reflected in the Government announcement
and look forward to continued work with Government and partners to
improve safeguarding adults from abuse.”
Kathryn Stone, Chief Executive of Voice UK said:
“Voice UK welcomes the announcement that safeguarding boards are
to be made statutory. This is a clear signal from government that
adults at risk will be prioritised and protected.”
Today’s announcement builds on previous measures which include
making every independent care home subject to the Human Rights Act
and giving the Care Quality Commission tough powers to penalise or
close down care providers who offer substandard care.
The Government is also working with the General Social Care
Council on a system of registration for home care workers. This
will strengthen protection of vulnerable people, raise the quality
of care provided and help prevent abuse.
Legislation that can, and is, being used to safeguard adults
includes the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the Mental Capacity Act,
2005, the Fraud Act, the Mental Health Act 1983, the Domestic
Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, as well as health and safety
at work legislation.
By enabling adult services to work more effectively together, the
Government is tightening the net so that more offenders are caught
and punished within existing law. This approach takes into account
the views of many older people and many people with disabilities
who say they do not want social workers, police or any other
professionals making decisions about their lives.
Notes to Editors
1. A summary of contributions to the consultation was published
in July 2009 and is available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responsestoconsultations/DH_102764
2. The current version of ‘No Secrets’, government guidelines on
safeguarding vulnerable adults is available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4008486
3. The Inter-Ministerial group on safeguarding vulnerable adults
will include Ministers from the Department of Health, Home Office,
Ministry of Justice, and the Attorney General’s Office. It will
have its first meeting in March.
4. Adult Safeguarding Boards are developed by local authorities
working closely with the NHS and the police. They work to raise
awareness and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults by the
development of effective co-operation across public services.
Legislation to place them on a statutory footing will be drafted
as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk