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Written question asked by Iqbal Mohamed (Independent (affiliation)) on Thursday, 19 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 March 2026. It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Social Services: Learning Disability

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to strengthen safeguarding protections for adults with learning disabilities receiving local authority care services.

Answer

When a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect an adult in the local authority’s area has care and support needs, is at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves because of those needs, it must carry out a safeguarding enquiry.

Local authorities must work with their partners under section 6(7) of the Care Act 2014, and those partners must also work with the authority to carry out their care, support, and adult protection duties.

Our 10-Year Health Plan sets out to tackle health inequalities and offer people with disabilities more holistic, on-going support in the community.

Action is underway to improve access and support for people with a learning disability through mandatory training for health and care staff, continued uptake of annual health checks and health action plans, and the Mental Health Act reforms.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
122346
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Learning disability Protection Social services
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk