The legal framework
Some pieces of legislation that relate to safeguarding apply across all of the UK, but much is devolved to regional governments.
Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, each have their own unique safeguarding set-up and different governing bodies. There are also international and country specific legislation that organisations working globally will need to consider.
The legislation means your organisation needs to have things in place to prevent harm, such as a safeguarding policy and a safer recruitment processes for workers. If not, you may be breaking the law.
In addition to the legal requirements, there are several pieces of guidance issued by government that organisations working with vulnerable groups will need to work to.
Legislation and guidance
Legislation
- Children Act 1989
- Children Act 2004
- Children and Social Work Act 2017
- Care Act 2014
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Guidance:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children - issued by the government for statutory agencies and voluntary organisations (including charities, places of worship, and faith-based organisations) on safeguarding children in England.
- Care and Support statutory guidance
- Office of the Public Guardian Safeguarding Policy (Protecting adults at risk of abuse or neglect)
- Keeping people safe in education - GOV.UK – guidance for schools that is updated annually. Not mandatory for charities, churches and places of worship but contains a lot of best practice.
- Safeguarding guidance for out of schools providers – GOV.UK
Legislation
- Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
- Children’s Services Co-operation (Northern Ireland) Act 2015
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007
- Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967
- Safeguarding Board Act (Northern Ireland) 2011
National Policy
Guidance
- Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland (2017)
- The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland inter-faith group was set up to acknowledge the important and central role, which faith communities play in the wider safeguarding agenda for children and young people throughout Northern Ireland
- Standards of care for adults in residential homes and domiciliary services can be found in guidance issued by the Department of Health and can be found at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/
Legislation
- Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
- Children (Scotland) Act 1995
- Adult Support and Protection Act 2007
- Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024
Guidance
- National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2023 - issued by the government for statutory agencies and voluntary organisations (including charities, places of worship, and faith-based organisations) on safeguarding children in Scotland.
- National Framework - Child protection learning and development 2024
- Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)
- National action plan to prevent and tackle child sexual exploitation
- The Promise Scotland | Transforming how Scotland cares for children, families, and care-experienced adults
Legislation
- Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
- Children Act 1989
- Children Act 2004
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
- Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011
- The Care Standards act 2000 (Notification)(Wales) Regulations 2011
Guidance
The Channel Islands have separate procedures and these broadly follow the principles set out in key legislation for England & Wales.
Legislation
There is no specific adult safeguarding legislation, but there are a range of legal remedies and policies relevant to the protecting adults at risk from abuse and harm.
Guidance
Legislation
Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008
There is no specific adult safeguarding legislation, however Guernsey follows best practice principles from the Care Act 2014.
Guidance
The three UK charity regulators also have safeguarding expectations for charities registered in the UK, whether their work is taking place in the UK or internationally.
The legislation means your organisation needs to have things in place to prevent harm, such as a safeguarding policy and a safer recruitment processes for workers. If not, you may be breaking the law.
In addition to the legal requirements, there are several pieces of guidance issued by government that organisations working with vulnerable groups will need to work to.
Organisations based in the UK working internationally must follow the host nation’s laws, policies and standards. In addition, organisations should also work to internationally recognised conventions such as:
Page last updated: 24 November 2025