Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) is a person-centred approach that puts the adult at the heart of safeguarding decisions. It represents a shift from process-driven practice towards outcomes-focused support that respects the person’s wishes and promotes their wellbeing. MSP is embedded within the Care Act 2014, which requires that safeguarding practice promotes wellbeing and has regard to the person’s views, wishes, feelings and beliefs.
Core principles of MSP
The person leads: we engage with adults about what they want to achieve and how they want to be supported, rather than assuming we know what’s best. The person experiencing abuse or neglect is the expert in their own life.
Outcomes matter more than process: success is measured by whether the adult feels safer and has more control, not just whether procedures were completed. We ask “what does this person want to happen?” and “what would make them feel safer?”
Informed choice is essential: we provide clear information about options, risks, and available support so adults can make informed decisions about their safety, including honest conversations about what can and cannot be done.
Key questions for MSP practice:
- “What does being safe mean to you?”
- “What would you like to happen?”
- “Who would you like to be involved?”
- “What would make the biggest difference to you?”
When someone doesn’t want help
If an adult with mental capacity chooses to remain in a risky situation, practitioners should ensure they have all the information needed, explore what’s important to them, discuss harm reduction strategies, keep communication open and continue monitoring where appropriate. MSP doesn’t mean accepting unacceptable risk – when someone lacks capacity or others are at risk, protective measures must still be taken, but in the least restrictive way possible.
For more information about MSP, visit the Local Government Association’s MSP toolkit.