Department of Health Launches First-Ever National Adult Safeguarding Framework
On Wednesday, December 9th, 2025, the Department of Health launched the country's first-ever National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding in the Health and Social Care Sector.
The framework has a two-pronged approach designed to fundamentally strengthen how we protect adults at risk.
The new policy hits two key targets simultaneously:
Legislative Reform - Laying the groundwork for necessary legal updates.
Culture Shift - Driving a strengthened, on-the-ground safeguarding culture in every service.
The ultimate goal is to deliver better outcomes for adults at risk. This means:
Better Prevention: Stopping harm before it happens.
More Effective Responses: Providing swift and appropriate action when abuse occurs.
Crucially, Improved Autonomy Supports: Helping adults at risk to live more independently and make their own informed decisions about their lives.
This policy framework is comprehensive. It applies to and is intended to benefit every adult who may be at risk of being abused or harmed and who interacts with any health or social care service, whether they are in a facility or receiving care at home.
The policy is also clear that any safeguarding concerns raised by neighbours, family members, or the public about an individual who is not currently receiving formal services, but requires a health and/or social care response, are included within its scope.
While the framework focuses specifically on the health and social care sector, it strongly recognises that safeguarding is a cross-societal effort. It mandates cooperation and the correct referral of concerns or allegations of abuse to other key state agencies, such as An Garda Síochána (the police) and Tusla (the Child and Family Agency).
Please click here to access the framework.