Adult Protection Engagement Platform

A Report on the Commissioner’s Investigation into Dunmurry Manor Care Home “Home Truths” was published in June 2018. It was critical of the practice of adult safeguarding and asserts the case for safeguarding legislation.

The then Health Minister undertook to take forward new Legislation namely an Adult Protection Bill. The Chief Social Worker at the time was appointed Head of the Adult Protection Transformation Board. The former Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) now known as Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) were tasked with establishing an Interim Adult Protection Board while the Adult Protection Bill was being drafted.

PCC have worked closely with members of the platform, staff from the Adult Protection Bill team at DoH under the directorate of Disability and Older People, as well as colleagues in SPPG who took responsibility for the Interim Adult Protection Board while the legislation is being finalised.

The Adult Protection Bill was formally introduced by the Minister of Health on Tuesday 17 June 2025. The Bill completed its Second Stage on Monday 30 June 2025 and was referred to the Committee for Health for scrutiny (the Committee Stage of the Bill). View the current progress of the Bill and all related information.

The purpose of the Bill is to make provision for the purposes of protecting adults from harm, and for connected purposes.

DoH representatives will continue to keep in touch with the Engagement Platform members about the development of the Adult Protection Bill.