Adult Safeguarding Day 2025, Friday November 7.
The theme this year was on rights and strengthening understanding and implementation of Assisted Decision-Making in services and communities. The event is an annual initiative of Safeguarding Ireland, supported by the HSE, and is being coordinated in partnership with many organisations across the health, social, financial and justice sectors.
Safeguarding Day Webinar, Thurs Nov 6th
A pre-event WEBINAR took place over zoom & attended by nearly 700 orgnanisations and professionals.
Following is a link to the webinar recording
Passcode: Sz6.0j.G https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/arB_24r9BUlF8Kr9UVNQfHCEa8pSmF_CfNdeAZehlJQmOg0J5jbJ3RRKWUO1wmat.f6MPRjuuF0sAq9FD?startTime=1762437350000
Following are links to the presentations
- ‘The message and resources on eve of Adult Safeguarding Day’ – Ronan Cavanagh, Public Awareness, Safeguarding Ireland
- ‘Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP). Guidance for practitioners, including resources’ – Sarah Mahon, Principal Social Worker, HSE National Safeguarding Office
- ‘Update on Assisted Decision-Making functions, including resources and supports’ – Patsy Fitzsimons, Head of Complaints and Investigations, Decision Support Service
- ‘Advice, guidance and training on ADM available for health and social care services’ – Caoimhe Gleeson, General Manager, HSE National Office for Human Rights and Equality
- ‘Case examples & ADM issues to be addressed into the future’ – Bibiana Savin, CEO, Sage Advocacy.
‘My Voice is My Right’
Since the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act came into effect in 2023, all people now have legal protections to ensure their wishes about money, health, and welfare are respected. Health services, banks, utilities, government services, professionals – and family and friends – must take steps to hear and support each person’s decision.
What the law means
- Everyone is presumed to have capacity, communication barriers must be addressed.
- If needed, three levels of formal support can be put in place: a Decision-Making Assistant, a Co-Decision Maker, or a Decision-Making Representative.
- Planning ahead is encouraged through an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and an Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD).
2025 – Animation Videos
My Voice is my Right – General
My Voice is my Right – Martha
My Voice is my Right – Tony
My Voice is my Right – Miriam
2025 campaign Social Media
2025 campaign Booklet and Posters
READ / Download the Booklet
Poster 1
Poster 2
Contacts for more information
Concerned about adult abuse?
- If an urgent or serious issue, call the Gardaí: 999 / 112
- If an ongoing concern, contact the HSE Safeguarding and Protection Teams: https://adultsafeguardingportal.hse.ie
Decision Support Service
- Understanding Assisted Decision-Making
- Putting in place a Decision Support Arrangement
- Making an Enduring Power of Attorney
- Making an Advance Healthcare Directive (inc. a template)
- A concern relating to a decision supporter, email complaints@decisionsupportservice.ie
- More information – see decisionsupportservice.ie or call 01 211 9750.
HSE National Office for Human Rights and Equality Policy
- Provides advice, guidance and training on the Act in health and social care services.
- See assisteddecisionmaking.ie or queries to adm@hse.ie
Irish Hospice Foundation
- The Think Ahead resource on planning ahead (inc. an Advance Healthcare Directive template) www.thinkahead.ie or call 01 679 3188.
Safeguarding Ireland
Further Information
News Release
Public unclear on legal responsibility to support the voice of all adults
The majority of Irish adults say that have either never heard of (44%) or don’t understand (16%) laws on Assisted Decision-Making – and just 15% say they know what is required as a result of the law.
RED C research – Oct 2025
The campaign logo
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