The Safeguarding Bill has completed its passage through the House of Keys.

Members granted the bill a third reading on Tuesday. It will create a new Safeguarding Board, on a statutory footing, to replace the non-statutory boards for children and vulnerable adults that exist now.

The bill also puts an obligation on organisations that work with children and vulnerable adults to consider safeguarding needs.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas said: ’This bill represents the importance that this government places in safeguarding by establishing in statute a single Safeguarding Board and the legal framework within which it will operate.’

It received unanimous support.

The bill will now go to the Legislative Council for further consideration and Mr Thomas is hoping that, if the upper chamber takes up the option of a final sitting before Christmas, on December 19, it will go before MLCs then.