Sector Resources Safeguarding Ireland

This section includes policy and research information on safeguarding from third-parties and RED C research on public awareness.

Sector Policy Documents

Decision Support Service – FAQs re Decision-making representative (2026)

Dept. of Health – Framework for Safeguarding in the Health & Social Care Sector (2025)

Think Ahead – Updated Advance Healthcare Directive Template (2025)

HIQA – Guidance for centres for people with disabilities & older people (2025)

HSE – Open Disclosure Policy (2025)

Sage Advocacy – Voice Matters (Review on Assisted Decision-Making 2025)

HIQA – Guidance for centres for people with disabilities & older people (2025)

Sage Advocacy – Role of an Independent Advocate (2024)

Joint Comm. on Disability Matters – Ensuring Rights Based Safeguarding (2024)

Medical Council – Guide to Professional Conduct for Medical Practitioners

HSE – National Consent Policy, updated for Assisted Decision-making laws (2024)

HIQA – Advocacy in Health and Social Care (2023)

Financial Safeguarding

Central Bank – Protecting Consumers in Vulnerable Circumstances (2025)

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland – Guide to Opening Bank Accounts (2021).

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland – Cocooning during Covid-19 (2020)

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland – Guide to safeguarding your money (2018)

Keep Control: Safeguarding you Finances in Later Life (2014)

RED C – Public Awareness of Safeguarding

October 2025: Assisted Decision-Making

November 2024: Financial Abuse

May 2024: Advance Healthcare Directives

Oct 2023: Planning Ahead

May 2023: Assisted Decision-making

Nov 2022: Reporting & Decision-making

Nov 2021: Understanding of Safeguarding

Aug 2021: Safeguarding and Disability.

Feb 2021: Coercive Control.

Oct 2020: Safeguarding Laws and a National Authority.

Nov 2019: BPFI & Safeguarding Ireland – Financial Abuse

May 2020: Healthcare Planning.

April 2019: Witnessing of abuse and what would reduce aduse

Oct 2018: Planning ahead to reduce risk of abuse.

RED C 2016: Baseline Research.

National Safeguarding Office – Annual Reports

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2024

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2023

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2022

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2021

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2020

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2019

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2018

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2017

HSE National Safeguarding Office – Data Report 2016

COVID-19 Reports

Exploring older people’s experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021)

WHO Report – Managing COVID-19 across long-term care services (2020)

Policing Performance with regard to COVID-19 – Policing Authority (2020)

Older Sectoral Reports

Falling Through the Cracks – commissioned by Senator Colette Kelleher (2019)

National Standards for Adult Safeguarding – HIQA and MHC (2019)

Department of Social Protection – Information on Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults (2018)

Irish Council of Civil Liberties – Know Your Rights: A Guide for Older People (2016)

The Older Adult Financial Exploitation Measure (2014)

National Centre for the Protection of Older People (NCPOP) Reports

Abuse of Older People with Dementia (2013)

Older People’s Experience of Mistreatment & Abuse (2012)

Older People in Residential Care Settings (2012)

Financial Abuse of Older People: A Review (2012)

Abuse and Neglect of Older People in Ireland (2010)