All Adults Safe from Harm
Adult safeguarding is
all adults, particularly at-risk adults, living safe from any abuse. This is a right for every person.
Report it
if you suspect that adult abuse is happening to you or someone you know – report it. Help is available.
Contact
The HSE Teams (www.hse.ie/safeguarding) if concerned, or the Gardaí if an immediate danger (999/112).
Contacts to REPORT adult abuse
Report adult abuse to HSE Teams
If you have a worry or a concern – contact the HSE.
For general information:
www.hse.ie/safeguarding
To report a concern online at the HSE portal:
https://adultsafeguardingportal.hse.ie
To contact your local HSE Safeguarding and Protection Team, phone or email:
- Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary:
Email: safeguarding.cho3@hse.ie / Phone: 067 464 70 - Cork and Kerry:
Email: safeguarding.cho4@hse.ie / Phone: 021 492 7550 - South Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford:
Email: safeguarding.cho5@hse.ie / Phone: 0818 101 101 - Wicklow, Dún Laoghaire and Dublin South East:
Email: safeguarding.cho6@hse.ie / Phone: 01 216 4511 - Kildare, West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City and Dublin South West:
Email: safeguarding.cho7@hse.ie / Phone: 045 920 410 - Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath:
Email: safeguarding.cho8@hse.ie / Phone: 01 691 4632 - Dublin North, Dublin North Central and Dublin North West:
Email: safeguarding.cho9@hse.ie / Phone: 01 795 9528. - Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal:
Email: safeguarding.cho1@hse.ie / Phone: 071 983 4660 - Roscommon, Galway and Mayo:
Email: safeguarding.cho2@hse.ie / Phone: 091 748 432.
Gardaí
If there is danger and it is urgent – contact the Gardaí.
- Call 999 or 112
- Or contact your local Garda station.
Information about Adult Safeguarding
What is Adult Safeguarding?
Adult safeguarding means ensuring all adults live safe from harm or any form of abuse.
This is one of the rights set out in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Ireland has signed up to this Declaration.
- We believe everyone has the right to:
- Live safe from harm
- Be treated with respect and dignity
- Keep their independence
- Have their voice heard
Everyone has these rights, whatever their age, ability, gender or beliefs. The right to live safe from harm is particularly important for adults at risk.
Who is at risk?
You may be at risk of harm if you have difficulties with making decisions, communicating with people or living on your own. Difficulties like these may be caused by many reasons, such as:
- Frailty
- Physical disability
- Learning difficulties
- Issues with your mental health
- An acquired brain injury
Or you may be in a situation where someone is trying to make you do things or stop you doing things (this is called coercive control).
What does safeguarding involve?
Safeguarding means:
- Taking steps to keep you safe from harm
- Supporting you to make your own decisions
- Making sure you get a say in what happens to you
- Helping you keep your independence
- Reporting any suspected abuse to the HSE Safeguarding Teams, Gardaí, or both.
Safeguarding is everyone‘s responsibility.
Professionals, services, families and friends all need to be aware of safeguarding issues. We must work with, and support, people who are at risk – to keep them safe from harm.
What is adult abuse?
Adult abuse is when someone treats you badly – causing you harm or distress or violating your human rights. For example, it can involve hurting or frightening you, controlling your life and your money, and neglecting your needs. These days, adult abuse increasingly takes
place on the internet or by smartphone.
It can happen gradually so that it comes to seem ‘normal’ over time. In some cases, adult abuse can be very dangerous and it can be a serious crime.
Adult abuse is too common
Almost 15,000 cases of alleged abuse are reported to the HSE Safeguarding Office each year. The actual figure is likely to be much higher, because not all cases are reported and some are reported to other authorities. We must all play our part in preventing and reporting abuse.
2026 Booklet and Posters
READ / Download the Booklet
Poster 1
Poster 2
2026 Social Media
2026 Webinar (Thursday, Nov 5th)
Adult Safeguarding Day 2026 took place on Friday November 6th and is an annual initiative of Safeguarding Ireland, supported by the HSE.
RECORDING of Adult Safeguarding Day Webinar – available shortly
'All Adults Safe from Harm: Preventing, Reducing and Reporting Adult Abuse'
2pm – 3.30pm, Thurs Nov 5.
2pm – Safeguarding Ireland Chairperson Patricia Rickard Clarke:
Adult Safeguarding Day, RED C research and need for Adult Safeguarding Legislation.
2.15 – HSE Principal Social Worker in Adult Safeguarding, Freda Quinlan:
The HSE safeguarding service, when and how to report, what happens when you report.
2.30 – An Garda Síochána, Detective Inspector Adrian Kinsella:
Developments in Adult Safeguarding in the Gardai, when and how to report to An Garda Síochána.
2.45 – Former Adult and Child Protection Convenor & Independent Consultant in Scotland, Alex Davidson:
Adult Safeguarding in Scotland; experiences of public awareness, prevention and reporting.
3.00 – HSE Chief Social Worker, Amanda Casey:
Developments and reform in adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector.
3.10 – 3.30 – Discussion.
Further Information
2026 – Animation Videos – to follow
2025 – Animation Videos on Decision Making
My Voice is my Right – General
My Voice is my Right – Martha
My Voice is my Right – Miriam
My Voice is my Right – Tony
2024 – Videos on Financial Abuse
Understanding – Financial Abuse
Forms of – Financial Abuse
Tips to Prevent – Financial Abuse
Safe Banking – Financial Abuse
An EPA and Safe Banking – Financial Abuse
Make an Enduring Power of Attorney – Financial Abuse
2023 – Videos on Planning Ahead
PLAN AHEAD – Overview: EPA, Health, Decision-making
PLAN AHEAD – Advance Healthcare Directive & DHR
PLAN AHEAD – Decision Support Arrangements
PLAN AHEAD – The HSE Safeguarding Service
PLAN AHEAD – Role of the Circuit Court
2022 – Videos on Preventing Adult Abuse
SAFEGUARDING: Prevent Adult Abuse – Decision-Making.
SAFEGUARDING: Respond to Adult Abuse – the HSE.
SAFEGUARDING: Respond to Adult Abuse – the Gardaí.
SAFEGUARDING: An Independent Safeguarding Authority.
2021 – Videos on Adult Abuse & Safeguarding
What is Adult Safeguarding
Type of Adult Abuse
Institutional Abuse
Safeguarding Adults with Disabilities
Planning Ahead – Money and Budgeting
Planning Ahead – Healthcare
