4.1 Identify relevant legislation, national policies and local systems that relate to safeguarding and protection from abuse

Qualification: Level 2 Diploma in Care, Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
Unit name: Safeguarding and Protection in Care Settings
Learning outcome: 4. Understand the national and local context of safeguarding and protection from abuse
Assessment criteria: 4.1 Identify relevant legislation, national policies and local systems that relate to safeguarding and protection from abuse

Legislation relating to safeguarding and protection from abuse includes:

The Human Rights Act 1998 – sets out rights and freedoms of all UK citizens
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 – makes FGM unlawful
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 – protects rights of individuals that lack capacity
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 – backgound checks for workers that have contact with vulnerable individuals
Equality Act 2010 – protects against discriminatory abuse
Health and Social Care Act 2012 – legislates how agencies work together
Care Act 2014 – legislates how agencies works together, puts onus on local authorities to lead local safeguarding
Modern Slavery Act 2015 – protects individuals from human trafficking, domestic servitude, forced labour etc.

National policies relating to safeguarding and protection from abuse include:

Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England
Care Quality Commission Fundamental Standards
Duty of Care and Duty of Candour
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
Professional bodies that require registration

Local systems relating to safeguarding and protection from abuse include:

Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs)
Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) – previously Serious Case Reviews
Employer’s agreed ways of working