Recommendation R61: Statutory adult safeguarding function
From Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry Report, published 18 June 2026.
Recommendation
Vulnerable children and adults are inherently more susceptible to abuse or neglect than other people. Adult safeguarding should be formally recognised as a statutory function, equivalent to child protection.
In brief (written by this site)
In July 2026, Mike Nesbitt, Minister of Health, stated that officials were preparing a paper for consideration by the Adult Safeguarding Transformation Board on making adult safeguarding a delegated statutory function equivalent to child protection (Mike Nesbitt, Jul 2026). The Minister explained that this work would be informed by legal advice and would consider this recommendation alongside any others that may impact the Adult Protection Bill (Mike Nesbitt, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the Department of Health NI's response of July 2026 (Mike Nesbitt, Jul 2026).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
No government response to this recommendation is on the record yet.
Delivery
Department of Health NI states no delivery position (24 July 2026)
The Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry Report details a number of important recommendations such as giving adult safeguarding equivalent status to child protection and making it a delegated statutory function. Officials are preparing a paper for consideration by the Adult Safeguarding Transformation Board, which will be informed by legal advice. This will include this consideration of this recommendation and any others which may impact on the Adult Protection Bill.
From: AQW 49720/22-27 (Northern Ireland Assembly written question: adult safeguarding as a statutory function equivalent to child protection), Mike Nesbitt, Minister of Health (Northern Ireland)
Site note: The answer names the recommendation by its subject (adult safeguarding with status equivalent to child protection), not by number.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- Department of Health NI
Delivery statement