Key government initiatives and legislation
Sexual Offences Act 2003
The Sexual Offences Act introduced a number of new offences concerning adults at risk and children.
See the Sexual Offences Act 2003 LegislationMental Capacity Act 2005
Its general principle is that everybody has capacity unless it is proved otherwise, that they should be supported to make their own decisions, that anything done for or on behalf of people without capacity must be in their best interests and should be the least restrictive intervention.
See the Mental Capacity Act 2005Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Introduced the new Vetting and Barring Scheme and the role of the Independent Safeguarding Authority. The Act places a statutory duty on all those working with vulnerable groups to register and undergo an advanced vetting process with criminal sanctions for non-compliance.
See the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Introduced into the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and came into force in April 2009. Designed to provide appropriate safeguards for vulnerable people who have a mental disorder and lack the capacity to consent to the arrangements made or their care or treatment, and who may be deprived of their liberty in their best interests in order to protect them from harm.
See the Deprivation of Liberty SafeguardsDoLS will be replaced by Liberty Protection Safeguards.
See the Liberty Protection Safeguards LegislationDisclosure & Barring Service 2013
Criminal record checks: guidance for employers – How employers or organisations can request criminal records checks on potential employees from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
See the Disclosure & Barring Service Update ServiceThe Care Act 2014 – statutory guidance
The Care Act introduces new responsibilities for local authorities. It also has major implications for adult care and support providers, people who use services, carers and advocates. It replaces No Secrets and puts adult safeguarding on a statutory footing.
See the Care and Support Statutory GuidanceMaking Safeguarding Personal Guide 2014
This guide is intended to support councils and their partners to develop outcome-focused, person-centred safeguarding practice.
See the Making Safeguarding Personal Guide 2014
Safeguarding Adults Online Courses
Learn more about safeguarding adults and learn how to recognise the signs of abuse with our introductory safeguarding adults courses.
Safeguarding Adults eLearning Courses