Refreshing the Accountability and Assurance Framework for Safeguarding

Overview

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Safeguarding in the NHS - Accountability and Assurance Framework will update and replace Safeguarding Vulnerable People in the Reformed NHS – Accountability and Assurance Framework which described the roles and responsibilities of NHS England, Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS providers and various other bodies in the reformed health system. 

The wider context for safeguarding continues to change in response to the findings of large scale inquiries, incidents and new legislation. Most notably, the Care Act brings adult safeguarding onto a statutory basis with a range of new duties. There are further changes to the commissioning system with the introduction of co-commissioning from April 2015 and it is important that safeguarding roles are clear in relation to this change.

Why your views matter

NHS England, working with other partners, has revised this framework to reflect recent developments and to respond to feedback from practitioners working across the health system.

We are now keen to hear feedback from across the system about the refreshed draft. Attached is a background document which outlines the reason for refreshing the framework and details of the consultation and governance processes and a copy of the draft framework for consultation.