Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

The policy framework, published yesterday, aims to expand and strengthen adult safeguarding across the health and social care sector to ensure adults at risk are safeguarded effectively against abuse and harm.

It sets out a framework of measures to empower and support people to protect themselves, to reduce the risk of abuse occurring and to ensure concerns or allegations of abuse are reported and responded to quickly and effectively.

The policy and forthcoming legislation will apply to all health and social care providers — public, voluntary and private.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: “This policy framework sets out our commitment to developing a robust adult safeguarding system across the health and social care service.

“It provides for a holistic approach to safeguarding with an emphasis on empowerment, prevention and effective response and intervention.

“Everyone has a fundamental right to be safe. Abuse or neglect of any adult at risk of harm is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

“We are committed to developing adult safeguarding legislation to underpin this policy and my department will be advancing this as a matter of priority next year.”