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National Adult Safeguarding Board

The National Adult Safeguarding Board was established in response to recommendations made by Baroness Louise Casey in March 2026 to strengthen national oversight of adult social care.

About the board

The board will:

  • provide transparent national leadership on serious adult safeguarding issues
  • support greater accountability across government and the wider system
  • drive learning and improvement across local safeguarding systems

Bringing together people with lived experience, sector leaders and safeguarding professionals, the board will provide support and challenge to strengthen national oversight of adult safeguarding to promote equity, dignity and human rights.

Membership

Current members: 

  • Sarah McClinton (Chair), Chief Social Worker for Adults, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
  • Acosia Nyanin, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England, NHS England
  • Isaac Samuels, Co-chair of the National Co-production Advisory Group (NCAG) and the Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Board
  • Clenton Farquharson, Associate Director (Policy and Influencing), TLAP
  • Chris Badger, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, Care Quality Commission (CQC)
  • Vic Rayner, Chief Executive Officer, National Care Forum
  • Tamara Cooper, Adult Safeguarding Lead, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)
  • Michael Preston-Shoot, Joint Convenor National Network of Safeguarding Adults Boards (SAB) Chairs
  • Melanie Williams, Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Public Health, Nottinghamshire County Council
  • Lucy Rush, Principal Social Worker/Director of Practice and Assurance, Hertfordshire County Council. Chair of National PSW Network
  • Anthony Douglas, former CEO of Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and Director of Adult Social Services. Current Safeguarding Adults Board chair, Department for Education (DfE) Children’s Commissioner, government advisor on child and adult safeguarding in Bermuda

Meeting frequency

The board will meet 4 times a year.

Summary of meetings

National Adult Safeguarding Board: summary of meeting, 16 June 2026 (PDF, 82.6 KB, 3 pages)

Terms of reference

Contact details

Contact: ascadultsafeguarding@dhsc.gov.uk