Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 changed how care and support for adults is provided. It set out a clear legal framework for how local authorities and other parts of the safeguarding system should protect vulnerable adults at risk of abuse or neglect. The intent is to make support clearer, easier to access, and more consistent across the country. 

Local authorities are now required to:

  • lead a multi-agency local adult safeguarding system that seeks to prevent abuse and neglect and stop it quickly when it happens
  • make enquiries, or request others to make them, when they think an adult with care and support needs may be at risk and find out what action is needed
  • establish Safeguarding Adult Boards, including the local authority, NHS and police, which will develop, share and implement a joint safeguarding strategy
  • carry out Safeguarding Adults Reviews when someone with care and support needs dies as a result of neglect or abuse and there is a concern that the local authority or its partners could have done more to protect them
  • arrange for an independent advocate to represent and support a person who is the subject of a safeguarding enquiry or review, if required.

Any relevant person or organisation must provide information to the Safeguarding Adults Board as requested.