The adult safeguarding toolkit is designed to provide organisations and individuals with guidance and resources to comply with data protection legislation and promote best practices in safeguarding sensitive information.

The toolkit offers comprehensive guidance on how to collect, use, store, and share data related to vulnerable adults, while adhering to the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

It includes practical advice, templates, and examples to help organisations implement effective data protection measures.

The toolkit was launched today by data protection commissioners Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland, who emphasised the importance of society recognising the safeguarding needs of vulnerable adults.

“We know how vulnerable adults can face unique challenges in protecting their personal data and with this new toolkit which we are delighted to launch today, organisations now have the necessary tools and knowledge to safeguard this information and ensure the rights of vulnerable individuals are respected at all times,” they said.

David Murphy, DPC deputy commissioner, added: “The DPC developed this document through close, and valuable collaboration with stakeholders in the safeguarding sector including the HSE, Sage Advocacy, and Safeguarding Ireland.

“The toolkit will help organisations working with at-risk adults, particularly in health and social care settings. It will help staff make confident decisions around data protection, including data sharing, based on an informed assessment of risk, and guided by their own professional expertise social care services and knowledge.”

Today’s launch was attended by representatives from healthcare providers, social care organisations, legal professionals, and advocacy groups.

The DPC has thanked SAGE Advocacy, the Fedvol Data Protection Network, HIQA, the HSE National Safeguarding Office, Safeguarding Ireland, the Decision Support Service, the National Rehabilitation Hospital, the Mental Health Commission, the Voluntary Hospital Forum and the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland for their assistance in the course of the project.