Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse National Policy & Procedures

The National Safeguarding Policy sets out a number of principles which promote the independence and rights of adults who may be vulnerable and also outlines the procedures to be followed if there are concerns of abuse and / or neglect of a vulnerable adult.  The Policy provides details on a number of structures to be developed in order to support the safeguarding agenda.  The National Federation has been working at both at a national level with other key stakeholders and with its membership to support this area of work.  The National Federation has two nominees on the Review Development Group which has been tasked with revising the Adult Safeguarding Policy.  

National Safeguarding Office

National Safeguarding Policy 

HSE / Umbrella Groups Safeguarding Reference Group

The HSE, the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Not-For-Profit Association established a Reference Group in relation to the HSE’s Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse – National Policy and Procedures. The group aims to:

• Provide leadership and direction in safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse and promoting their rights.
• Support all Service Providers in the implementation of the Policy.
• Identify impediments to the ongoing implementation and application of the Policy and recommend any corrective action.
• Evaluate the implementation of the HSE’s Safeguarding Policy across all agencies providing Services to People with Disability.
• Participate in a formal review of the Policy.

The National Federation is represented on the HSE Safeguarding Reference Group by Mr. Michael Flood Brothers of Charity Services, David Tuomey of Western Care and Ms. Jillian Sexton, National Federation Secretariat.

Safeguarding Ireland

Safeguarding Ireland promotes safeguarding of vulnerable adults to protect them from all forms of abuse by persons, organisations and institutions and to develop a national plan for promoting their welfare. chaired by Ms. Patricia Rickard Clarke, is a multi-agency and inter-sectoral body which recognises that safeguarding vulnerable persons requires agencies to work collaboratively.  Jillian Sexton represents National Federation members on the Committee.  Link to Safeguarding Ireland Website

Public Awareness Campaign 

Safeguarding Ireland run Safeguarding Public Awareness Campaigns.  All relevant campaign materials (news release etc.) are live on the new www.safeguardingireland.org website in the Public Awareness section.

Confidential Recipient

Ms Gráinne Cunningham-O'Brien is the newly appointed Confidential Recipient and commenced her role on 7 November 2022.  The Confidential Recipient is “an independent person appointed by the HSE” to receive concerns and complaints about HSE and HSE-funded services that are accessed by older people and people with a disability.  More information is available here. 

By post to:          Confidential Recipient for Vulnerable Persons.  Training Services Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick

By telephone:      061 585603 or mobile (087) 6657269 

By e-mail:            grainnecunningham@crhealth.ie