Direct answer: You can find legislation and national policies on safeguarding adults with care and support needs primarily through UK government and statutory bodies, plus independent safeguarding bodies. Key sources include the Care Act 2014 and related guidance, Safeguarding Adults Boards materials, and national policy statements from the government. Sections to explore
- Core legislation
- Care Act 2014: Establishes safeguarding duties for local authorities and other partners, sets up Safeguarding Adults Boards, and requires enquiries and safeguarding reviews where abuse or neglect is suspected. It also emphasizes the rights and autonomy of adults with care and support needs. Look for the full Act and Section 42 powers in the legislation database. [Care Act 2014]
* Mental Capacity Act 2005: Supports decision-making for adults who may lack capacity in safeguarding contexts. [Mental Capacity Act]
* Other relevant statutes that frequently intersect safeguarding work (e.g., Sexual Offences Act 2003; Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) as part of the broader safeguarding framework. [SCIE Legislation overview]
- Government policy and guidance
- Adult safeguarding policy statements and guidance from the UK government outlining principles and responsibilities for local authorities, NHS, police, and safeguarding partners. [Adult safeguarding: government policy]
* National standards or sector-specific guidance that describe expectations for providers and commissioners, including duties of candour and safeguarding responsibilities in health and social care settings. [National standards and guidance]
- Practical frameworks and resources
- Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs): Local multi-agency partnerships responsible for coordinating safeguarding activities, learning from safeguarding adults reviews, and implementing local strategies. Resources and checklists for SABs can be found via SCIE and related safeguarding resources. [Safeguarding Adults Boards resources]
* SCIE guidance and practice questions: Tools and guidance for frontline practitioners and managers on handling safeguarding dilemmas within the legal framework. [SCIE safeguarding resources]
* Legislation summaries and cross-references: Overviews that collate relevant acts and cross-cutting provisions for safeguarding adults at risk of abuse or neglect. [SCIE legislation overview]
- International or regional analogues (optional)
- In Ireland and other jurisdictions, there are national standards and safeguarding frameworks, which can be informative for comparative purposes, though the primary legal framework for the UK is as above. [National standards (Ireland) example]
How to locate official texts quickly
- Official legislation portals: Search for “Care Act 2014” and “Mental Capacity Act 2005” on government or legislation.gov.uk to access the full statutory text and any amendments. [Care Act 2014] [Mental Capacity Act 2005]
- Government policy pages: Look up “adult safeguarding policy” or “adult safeguarding statement of government policy” on gov.uk for policy guidance and principles. [Adult safeguarding policy]
- SCIE and NHS guidance: Use SCIE’s safeguarding adults pages for practitioner-focused guidance, practice questions, and board governance resources. NHS-related safeguarding materials are often linked through these pages. [SCIE safeguarding sections] [SCIE safeguarding resources]
Notes and context
- The Care Act 2014 is the central legal framework underpinning safeguarding adults in England, establishing duties for local authorities and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. Section 42 specifically empowers local authorities to make enquiries where abuse or neglect is suspected and the adult may be at risk. [Care Act 2014] [Care Act 2014 Section 42]
- Safeguarding is carried out through Safeguarding Adults Boards at the local level, and national policy provides overarching aims and principles to support consistent practices across regions. [SABs overview][Adult safeguarding policy]
- For a comprehensive, up-to-date view, consult the official legislation texts and government guidance, and use SCIE as a practitioner-facing companion with practical tools and checklists. [Legislation portal][government policy][SCIE resources]
If you’d like, I can pull exact links to the current official texts and summarize each key provision relevant to safeguarding adults in England or adjust to another UK jurisdiction (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) if needed.