Reporting Abuse
- In the event of a circumstance of abuse which poses a serious or immediate danger – call the Gardaí at 999 / 112
- For an ongoing safeguarding concern that support is needed with – contact the HSE National Safeguarding Office at safeguarding.socialcare@hse.ie / (061) 461 165. There are nine Safeguarding and Protection Teams covering all regions.
The primary contact for information on Assisted Decision-Making is the Decision Support Service (DSS), which is available at 01 211 9750, online at www.decisionsupportservice.ie. or by email at queries@decisionsupportservice.ie
The DSS’s role is to:
- Register decision support arrangements
- Supervise arrangements
- Investigate complaints about appointed decision supporters, or decision support arrangements
- Promote public awareness of assisted decision-making.
The Decision Support Service (DSS) can investigate complaints about appointed decision supporters and decision support arrangements. This can include, for example, allegations that the decision supporter is making decisions that are not part of their role, is abusing the relevant person’s finances, or is unable to perform their functions for whatever reason. (Decision supporters include decision-making assistants, co-decision makers, decision-making representatives, attorneys (including those appointed under the Powers of Attorney Act 1996) and designated healthcare representatives).
The DSS can also investigate allegations that fraud, coercion, or undue pressure was used to force a person to make, vary or cancel a decision support arrangement.
To find out more about how complaints are handled please visit Complaints and Investigation Procedures or phone the DSS dedicated freephone number on 01 211 9750 to speak to the Complaints and Investigations Team.
The DSS can also provide practical information about how to make an Enduring Power Attorney (see www.myEPA.ie) and an Advance Healthcare Directive.
Other information is at:
- HSE: www.assisteddecisionmaking.ie / 1800 700 700
- National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities: www.advocacy.ie / 0818 073000
- Sage Advocacy: www.sageadvocacy.ie / 01 536 7330.
Safeguarding Training
If you have a query regarding safeguarding training for workplaces, sports or social organisations, community groups, or professional services – there are a number of places you can contact.
For services falling within the remit of HSE and HSE funding, there is an e-learning programme on recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns available on the HSE’s online learning and development platform. There are also some private providers of safeguarding training who are available and can be researched online.
