Welcome to the Summer 2026 edition of the Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults Bulletin.
You can download a printable PDF version of this bulletin here.
Everyone at the Ann Craft Trust was saddened to hear about the death of Lord Laming, who chaired inquiries into the deaths of Victoria Climbié and Baby P. Lord Laming leaves lasting change that still has an impact on services and practice today. Our condolences to those who knew him.
It has been an incredibly busy few months since I last wrote. In addition to record breaking weather, we’ve had a football world cup involving two of our home nations, and a new prime minister who has, like his predecessors, promised social care reform.
In the spring bulletin, you might recall I spoke about the Casey Commission review, including a review of safeguarding adults. The Ann Craft Trust will be pushing for this review to continue, even as the new political landscape takes shape.
Continuing with the busy summer theme, we have had our official Safeguarding Adults Week launch where we introduced our daily themes, as well as opening bookings for our conference on Wednesday 18 November. Early bird tickets are selling fast, so be sure to take advantage of the discount before it’s too late!
You can find details about this along with a whole host of other articles and information relating to safeguarding adults, throughout the rest of the bulletin. So please do continue reading!
Stuart Sale
CEO, Ann Craft Trust
Safeguarding Adults Week 2026 – Every Voice. Every Choice.
Safeguarding Adults Week 2026 will take place 16 – 22 November.
Our focus this year is on how co-production is central to safeguarding adults.
Every Voice. Every Choice.
By prioritising choice, safeguarding can become more preventative, build trust, and empower individuals.
We’ll explore how a collaborative approach aligns closely with key principles of the Care Act 2014, such as empowerment and prevention
A key theme is Making Safeguarding Personal, which prioritises the outcomes for the individuals. It’s all about giving people a voice, and making it their choice as to what happens, and what makes them feel safe.
Each day of the week we will concentrate on a specific theme:
- Monday: Listening & Person-Centred Conversations
- Tuesday: Strengths, Choice, and Control
- Wednesday: Co-Production and Shared Decision-Making
- Thursday: Professional Curiosity
- Friday: Learning and Reflection
- Saturday and Sunday: Safeguarding in Your Community
- Sunday: Reflection and Wellbeing Day
Safeguarding Adults Week 2026 – Free Resources, and Official Launch Film
Get free resources to help you support the week, and watch our official launch film: Every Voice. Every Choice.
We’ll be updating this page with more resources in the coming months.
Get Your Free Safeguarding Adults Week 2026 Resources
Safeguarding Adults Conference 2026
Join us at the 2026 Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults Conference, with a focus on co-production and Making Safeguarding Personal.
The conference will contribute to continued professional development for professionals and volunteers working with adults across a range of sectors.
There are a limited number of early-bird tickets available at a discounted price!
Book Your Place At The 2026 Safeguarding Adults Conference
Podcast: Why External Safeguarding Audits Should Be A Priority For All Organisations
Ann Craft Trust CEO Stuart Sale talks to James Watson-O’Neill, CEO of Sense.
James discusses Sense’s experiences of working with The Ann Craft Trust during an external safeguarding audit, and highlights how such assurance can promote best practice, and help organisations focus on achieving their core missions.
Podcast: Looking Out For Dementia Carers
Laura Thorpe talks to Helen Pyper, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Dementia Carers Count, about the support they offer people who are looking after loved ones with dementia.
Beyond Compliance: What the New Deprivation of Liberty Judgment Means for Safeguarding
The Supreme Court’s 2026 judgment on deprivation of liberty is one of the most significant developments in mental capacity and safeguarding practice since the landmark Cheshire West ruling in 2014. The judgment moves practitioners towards a more nuanced, person-centred assessment of an individual’s circumstances.
Reality TV Needs To Take Safeguarding Seriously
The reality TV show Married at First Sight UK was recently pulled from TV following claims of rape and non-consensual sexual acts during filming.
These allegations led to intensified scrutiny of participant safety, with some individuals stating they were not adequately protected during filming.
News and Resources Roundup
Would you like something featured in a future Roundup? Whether it’s a new resource, a job vacancy, some research findings, or something else entirely, get in touch to tell us more.
- Over half of adults with learning disabilities do not live past 65. The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) was commissioned by NHS England and looked at deaths recorded between 2021 and 2024.
- National adult safeguarding body up and running. National Safeguarding Adults Board, chaired by chief social worker for adults, is working on updating Care Act 2014 statutory guidance in order to improve practice.
- BBC investigation into online sexual exploitation. The BBC’s investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation relating to an adult platform raises serious concerns about coercion, financial control and potential human trafficking in the digital space.
- Regulator launches inquiry into healthcare charity over safeguarding and financial concerns. The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into St Andrew’s Healthcare.
- Social workers divided on Supreme Court’s reversal of Cheshire West judgment. Social workers are divided over the AGNI ruling on deprivation of liberty, with some arguing it will weaken safeguards for vulnerable people and others backing it in principle, provided clear guidance is in place.
- Muckamore inquiry finds patients’ lives made ‘miserable’ by abuse. A number of long-term patients suffered physical abuse, including black eyes, broken bones, bruising and excessive restraint.
- ‘I was a prisoner in my home’: Drug gangs ‘cuckooing’ hundreds of homes a week.
- Church of England national safeguarding campaign ‘keeps people at the centre’. The Church of England is launching a campaign to raise awareness of how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns.
Want the latest safeguarding adults in sport news? Be sure to subscribe to our monthly sport update.