Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Safeguarding in Health Care (England): Legal Duties, Governance and Practical Steps under the Care Act 2014, MCA 2005 and NHS England frameworks

Published by a LexisNexis Local Government expert

Practice notes

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This Practice Note offers guidance on safeguarding for health care service providers. It addresses the core safeguarding considerations relevant to health care professionals and their practice. It outlines the six adult safeguarding principles, sets out approaches to health care safeguarding, highlights points to look out for, explains the function of safeguarding boards and provides practical tips for health care providers. Local authorities may likewise find the material helpful too.

What exactly does ‘safeguarding’ mean?

The term ‘safeguarding’ is widely used in practice, yet it is worth pausing to consider its precise meaning. Several important statutes directly touch on safeguarding, including the Children and Social Work Act 2017, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006; however, the most helpful statute is the Care Act 2014 (CA 2014), which also sets out six key principles for adult safeguarding:

empowerment
prevention
proportionality
protection
partnership
accountability

These principles embody CA 2014’s person-centred approach to safeguarding, intended to promote seamless integration among the various agencies engaged in an adult’s care. While CA 2014 places primary safeguarding responsibility with the local authority, a solid understanding of safeguarding duties is vital for health care workers. See Practice Note: Safeguarding and the Court...

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Angela Williams

Angela specialises in defending personal injury claims for insurers and local authorities. Her particular area of specialism is stress at work, bullying and harassment. She is the specialist lead for such claims at Browne Jacobson LLP where she has worked since 2012.Angela has significant experience in industrial disease claims, in particular asbestos litigation.Clients include NHS Trusts, local authorities, fire services and national insurers.Angela also leads on safeguarding and restrictive care cases, focusing on providing comprehensive legal support in matters involving the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Using her knowledge of the complexities surrounding capacity assessments and liberty restrictions, Angela offers advice to clients to ensure their best interests are protected. ...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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