The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, delivered the welcome address at the “Stronger Together: How the Child Protection Committee & Safeguarding Adults Board Drive Joint Protection” conference, held recently at the Sunborn Hotel.

Organised by the Child Protection Committee (CPC) and the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB), the event brought together professionals from the Care Agency, Education, the GHA, the RGP, Youth Services, the voluntary sector, and community organisations to strengthen safeguarding collaboration across Gibraltar.

The Minister emphasised that “safeguarding must be everyone’s business,” highlighting the importance of moving from “strategy to safety” by embedding policy into practice and ensuring that all agencies work together to protect children and vulnerable adults.

In her address, Minister Arias-Vasquez outlined the Government’s progress in strengthening governance structures, including placing the Safeguarding Adults Board on a statutory footing and rolling out Safeguarding Adult Lead Manager (SALM) training across agencies. She also referenced positive trends in safeguarding data, such as increased referrals and alerts that reflect greater awareness and confidence to report concerns.

The programme featured presentations by Keri Scott, Director of Education, and Jennifer Poole, Head of Disability Services at the Care Agency, on the roles and responsibilities of each board and the importance of working with charities.

This was followed by a panel discussion with Angelo Cerisola, Helen Carter, and Mark Zammitt on strengthening working together to safeguard the most vulnerable. Closing remarks were delivered by Carlos Banderas, CEO of the Care Agency and Chairperson of both the CPC and SAB.

Carlos Banderas, CEO of the Care Agency, said:
“The event has highlighted something simple but powerful: safeguarding is everyone’s business. Protection is not about structures or meetings – it’s about people. It’s about the child whose voice might otherwise go unheard; the adult who may finally feel safe enough to ask for help. It is not confined to one Government department, agency, or one role.

Throughout the afternoon, we heard from colleagues across social care, health, education and youth. This is partnership in action; we’ve demonstrated what it means to work together – not just in principle, but in practice.

With the revised Charities Act and regulations, charities will be expected to adopt robust safeguarding practices, including safer recruitment and vetting procedures, mandatory safeguarding training for staff and volunteers, clear processes for managing allegations, a safeguarding code of conduct or handbook, and provisions to exclude individuals deemed unsuitable to work with children.

These measures will help build public confidence and ensure that every organisation working with vulnerable people has the tools and accountability it needs.”

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said:
“As a Government, we have made safeguarding a priority. The risks that harm children and the vulnerabilities that affect adults often intersect, so the strongest protection is a joined-up one. I want to thank every practitioner, manager, volunteer and trustee whose work changes lives every day. You deserve leadership that stands behind you when you do the right thing, and in this Government, you will find that support!”

ENDS