A statutory framework for safeguarding adults? The Law Commission's consultation paper on adult social care

This article discusses the Law Commission's proposals for the reform of adult social care, with a particular emphasis on the specific proposals relating to adult protection. It argues that a future adult social care statute should clarify the existing legal position by placing a duty on local social services authorities to make enquiries and take appropriate action in adult protection cases. The definition of an adult at risk for the purposes of the duty to investigate is also considered and a proposal is put forward for how this might be defined in the statute. The article also proposes that the compulsory removal power under section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948 (HM Government, 1948) should be repealed, that adult safeguarding boards should be placed on a statutory footing and that duties to co‐operate in adult protection should be introduced. Finally, concerns are raised that the current lack of statutory provision for adult protection may mean that there is confusion over the precise legal status of the guidance No Secrets (Department of Health & Home Office, 2000) and In Safe Hands (Welsh Assembly Government, 2000) and what actions this can authorise.