McGimpsey announces additional funding for protecting vulnerable adults

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has announced that an additional £500,000 has been invested into arrangements to protect vulnerable adults in Northern Ireland.

The Minister was speaking as he launched a new protocol, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of all the agencies including those within the health and social care service and the police, who work with vulnerable adults. The Minister also launched leaflets aimed at raising awareness of the abuse vulnerable adults.

The Minister said: “The protection of vulnerable adults is all our business. Abuse in any form is abhorrent and is totally unacceptable. I am committed to ensuring that adults who are most in need of our help are offered a level of protection and support they deserve.

“The development of this newly revised protocol is designed to ensure that staff from all agencies involved with vulnerable adults, work together in a way that ensures that their well-being and their rights are always recognised.”

Commenting on the additional funding which is being invested to protect vulnerable adults, Michael McGimpsey said: “I am investing £500,000 this year rising to £600,000 recurrently from next year to support the existing partnership arrangements for the protection of vulnerable adults. This money will be used to enhance the work of the Regional Adult Protection Forum. This money will also be used to appoint Specialist Adult Protection managers and Senior Practitioners in the Trusts.”

Referring to the introduction of a new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) which will be fully operational by next summer, the Minister said: “Individuals seeking to work with children or vulnerable adults will be required to register with the new Independent Safeguarding Authority.

“This scheme is intended to make it difficult if not impossible for individuals intent on causing harm to either children or vulnerable adults from getting away with it.

“The scheme will ensure that individuals will be continuously monitored after they become registered; and employers, who register an interest in them, will be informed if anything comes to light through the continuous monitoring process.”

Notes to Editors:

1. A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 years or over who is, or may be unable to take care of him or herself or who is unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation. This may be because he or she has a mental health problem, a disability, a sensory impairment, is old and frail or has some form of illness.
2. The Protocol for Joint Investigation of Alleged and Suspected Cases of Abuse of Vulnerable Adults has been developed by the Regional Adult Protection Forum which is a partnership body, with representation from Health and Social Care Trusts and Board, Police Service for Northern Ireland, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority and the Voluntary sector. It outlines roles and responsibilities of the respective agencies and provides guidance about joint working arrangements and investigation.
3. The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety has commenced development of a new safeguarding vulnerable adult policy framework.
4. The Adult Abuse awareness leaflets, which are funded by DHSSPS and the Community Safety Unit at the Northern Ireland Office, can be downloaded from the DHSSPS website and nidirect.
5. For more information on the Vetting and Barring Scheme visit the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups website or the ISA website
6. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.