In May, Hounslow council was ordered to pay compensation to a couple who both have learning disability and were subjected to abuse by their neighbours. The landmark ruling is the first to hold a local authority responsible for protecting vulnerable adults from 'third parties'. The author, the solicitor acting for the couple, explains the rulings wider implications.
In May, Hounslow council was ordered to pay compensation to a couple who both have learning disability and were subjected to abuse by their neighbours. The landmark ruling is the first to hold a local authority responsible for protecting vulnerable adults from 'third parties'. The author, the solicitor acting for the couple, explains the rulings wider implications.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, local authorities, neighbours, vulnerable adults, adult abuse, compensation, duty of care;
People & Places is an online community networking site which enables an individual, their family and the professionals to communicate safely. It also enables them to gain access to groups and services that had not been available to them, and to more effectively use these resources.
People & Places is an online community networking site which enables an individual, their family and the professionals to communicate safely. It also enables them to gain access to groups and services that had not been available to them, and to more effectively use these resources.
Subject terms:
internet, learning disabilities, local authorities, social exclusion, social networks, social care professionals, special educational needs, vulnerable adults, assistive technology, computers;
Journal of Adult Protection, 12(2), May 2010, pp.6-18.
Publisher:
Emerald
This author (chair of Lancashire County Council’s Adult Safeguarding Board), had been invited by the director of Cornwall County Council’s (CCC) adult social care department, following publication of ‘The murder of Steven Hoskin: a serious case review’ (SCR) in 2007, “to restore public confidence ... and provide ... an evidence based assessment of ... progress” on the SCR recommendations for system-wide and agency-specific changes to improve the safeguarding of young people with learning disabilities in England. She details written documentation from each agency in contact with Steven and the people who moved into his bedsit, and who submitted to the management reviews required by the SCR. In addition she interviewed over 40 boardroom representatives, middle managers and frontline personnel from each of the 9 children’s and adult social care, Primary Care Trust, NHS, police, adult protection, young offender, youth work, housing and tenant agencies involved, in December 2008. The text describes “something of their work priorities and ... programmes since” and is punctuated by quotes from staff. Under two headings, ‘agency-specific actions’ and system-wide actions’, the author reviews the SCR recommendations, the agencies’ action plans, and documents actions completed across and within agencies. She reports significant progress in terms of attitude, and reforming work methodology, but says there are still challenges to overcome.
This author (chair of Lancashire County Council’s Adult Safeguarding Board), had been invited by the director of Cornwall County Council’s (CCC) adult social care department, following publication of ‘The murder of Steven Hoskin: a serious case review’ (SCR) in 2007, “to restore public confidence ... and provide ... an evidence based assessment of ... progress” on the SCR recommendations for system-wide and agency-specific changes to improve the safeguarding of young people with learning disabilities in England. She details written documentation from each agency in contact with Steven and the people who moved into his bedsit, and who submitted to the management reviews required by the SCR. In addition she interviewed over 40 boardroom representatives, middle managers and frontline personnel from each of the 9 children’s and adult social care, Primary Care Trust, NHS, police, adult protection, young offender, youth work, housing and tenant agencies involved, in December 2008. The text describes “something of their work priorities and ... programmes since” and is punctuated by quotes from staff. Under two headings, ‘agency-specific actions’ and system-wide actions’, the author reviews the SCR recommendations, the agencies’ action plans, and documents actions completed across and within agencies. She reports significant progress in terms of attitude, and reforming work methodology, but says there are still challenges to overcome.
Subject terms:
joint working, learning disabilities, local authorities, multidisciplinary services, homicide, serious case reviews, social care provision, vulnerable adults, adult abuse, safeguarding adults;
On the eve of a roll out of the Independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA) service, the author looks back at the development of the service and asks whether it will be up to the task.
On the eve of a roll out of the Independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA) service, the author looks back at the development of the service and asks whether it will be up to the task.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, local authorities, mental capacity, mental health problems, NHS trusts, vulnerable adults, advocacy, dementia, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy;
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL. School for Policy Studies, JESSIMAN Tricia, CAMERON Ailsa
Publisher:
NIHR School for Social Care Research
Publication year:
2017
Pagination:
6
Place of publication:
London
This research, undertaken by the University of Bristol’s School for Policy Studies, explores the role of local authorities in the provision of appropriate adult (AA) services to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable people in custody and highlight good practice. It also sought to examine what commissioners, practitioners and service users would expect from an effective service. It was based on responses to an online survey sent to 151 local authority adult social care departments in England (29 responses) and 54 services within the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) (23 response). It also examined four different models of provision and qualitative interviews and service user focus groups. Of the 29 local authorities who responded, 14 funded or part-funded AA services, which were mostly commissioned from third-sector partners. Key reasons for funding included: fulfilling part of their wider adult safeguarding responsibilities; concerns about demands on social workers’ and mental health professionals’ time; an increase in demand for AAs; and to foster good working relationships with other agencies. It found that local authority areas where AA services were embedded in, or linked to, adult safeguarding teams were more likely to respond promptly. In relation to AA service effectiveness - managers, commissioners and the police, tended to prioritise AA response time and availability, whilst service users said that an understanding of needs were more important factors. The research highlights two key areas for improvement: the need for commissioners and funders to look at monitoring wider outcomes of service effectiveness the need to improve service user involvement in commissioning and monitoring of services.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This research, undertaken by the University of Bristol’s School for Policy Studies, explores the role of local authorities in the provision of appropriate adult (AA) services to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable people in custody and highlight good practice. It also sought to examine what commissioners, practitioners and service users would expect from an effective service. It was based on responses to an online survey sent to 151 local authority adult social care departments in England (29 responses) and 54 services within the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) (23 response). It also examined four different models of provision and qualitative interviews and service user focus groups. Of the 29 local authorities who responded, 14 funded or part-funded AA services, which were mostly commissioned from third-sector partners. Key reasons for funding included: fulfilling part of their wider adult safeguarding responsibilities; concerns about demands on social workers’ and mental health professionals’ time; an increase in demand for AAs; and to foster good working relationships with other agencies. It found that local authority areas where AA services were embedded in, or linked to, adult safeguarding teams were more likely to respond promptly. In relation to AA service effectiveness - managers, commissioners and the police, tended to prioritise AA response time and availability, whilst service users said that an understanding of needs were more important factors. The research highlights two key areas for improvement: the need for commissioners and funders to look at monitoring wider outcomes of service effectiveness the need to improve service user involvement in commissioning and monitoring of services.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
vulnerable adults, safeguarding adults, local authorities, adult social care, financing, case studies, learning disabilities, mental health problems, social care provision, police, custodial institutions, young people;
King's College London. Social Care Workforce Research Unit
Publication year:
2017
Pagination:
64
Place of publication:
London
This scoping review looks at the prevalence of gambling-related harm affecting people described as adults at risk, including people with dementia, people with mental health problems, people with learning disabilities and other cognitive impairments. The review includes literature on the risks from regulated gambling; the risk of harm from scams and fake lotteries; and where gambling is cited as explanation among perpetrators for causing neglect or abuse to vulnerable adults. The first section sets the context for the review, and looks at the prevalence of problem gambling, defining gambling related harm and the challenges of protecting vulnerable people from harm while allowing gambling to take place in local communities. The second section presents the review methodology and key findings. The review focuses on four areas to examine extent to which gambling is a safeguarding issue for those working in social care and for local authority adult services: the evidence of gambling participation among adults at risk; the impact of gambling participation for adults at risk; evidence that perpetrators of abuse against adults at risk are committing these acts or crimes to fund gambling addictions; and how social work and adult safeguarding teams manage gambling related harm.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This scoping review looks at the prevalence of gambling-related harm affecting people described as adults at risk, including people with dementia, people with mental health problems, people with learning disabilities and other cognitive impairments. The review includes literature on the risks from regulated gambling; the risk of harm from scams and fake lotteries; and where gambling is cited as explanation among perpetrators for causing neglect or abuse to vulnerable adults. The first section sets the context for the review, and looks at the prevalence of problem gambling, defining gambling related harm and the challenges of protecting vulnerable people from harm while allowing gambling to take place in local communities. The second section presents the review methodology and key findings. The review focuses on four areas to examine extent to which gambling is a safeguarding issue for those working in social care and for local authority adult services: the evidence of gambling participation among adults at risk; the impact of gambling participation for adults at risk; evidence that perpetrators of abuse against adults at risk are committing these acts or crimes to fund gambling addictions; and how social work and adult safeguarding teams manage gambling related harm.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
gambling, adult abuse, vulnerable adults, dementia, mental health problems, learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, safeguarding adults, local authorities, social work, literature reviews;
GREAT BRITAIN. Cabinet Office. Office of the Third Sector, GREAT BRITAIN. Cabinet Office. Social Exclusion Taskforce
Publisher:
Great Britain. Cabinet Office
Publication year:
2010
Pagination:
20p.
Place of publication:
London
The socially excluded adults public service agreement (PSA 16) aims to ensure that the most socially excluded adults are offered the chance to get back on a path to a more successful life, by increasing the proportion of at-risk individuals in settled accommodation and in employment, education or training. PSA 16 focuses on 4 client groups who are particularly vulnerable to multiple forms of disadvantage: care leavers; offenders under probation supervision; adults in contact with secondary mental health services; and adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities. In 2009 the Office of the Third Sector and the Social Exclusion Task Force investigated 4 places where local authorities have used Supporting People funding to help individuals from PSA 16 groups into jobs and homes, to inform understanding of the third sector organisations which provide these services. This publication describes these 4 case studies, sketching the organisational structures in each place and the ways they help PSA 16 groups and giving contact details for each. The case studies are: Norwood in partnership with Redbridge Local Authority working with adults with learning disabilities; Foundation Housing with Leeds City Council working with ex-offenders; Tyneside Cyrenians and Newcastle City Council working with ex-offenders and people with mental health problems; and St Basils and Birmingham City Council working with young people who have been in care.
The socially excluded adults public service agreement (PSA 16) aims to ensure that the most socially excluded adults are offered the chance to get back on a path to a more successful life, by increasing the proportion of at-risk individuals in settled accommodation and in employment, education or training. PSA 16 focuses on 4 client groups who are particularly vulnerable to multiple forms of disadvantage: care leavers; offenders under probation supervision; adults in contact with secondary mental health services; and adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities. In 2009 the Office of the Third Sector and the Social Exclusion Task Force investigated 4 places where local authorities have used Supporting People funding to help individuals from PSA 16 groups into jobs and homes, to inform understanding of the third sector organisations which provide these services. This publication describes these 4 case studies, sketching the organisational structures in each place and the ways they help PSA 16 groups and giving contact details for each. The case studies are: Norwood in partnership with Redbridge Local Authority working with adults with learning disabilities; Foundation Housing with Leeds City Council working with ex-offenders; Tyneside Cyrenians and Newcastle City Council working with ex-offenders and people with mental health problems; and St Basils and Birmingham City Council working with young people who have been in care.
Subject terms:
housing, joint working, learning disabilities, leaving care, local authorities, mental health problems, performance management, social exclusion, training, voluntary organisations, vulnerable adults, case studies, charities, education, employment, ex-offenders;
Journal of Adult Protection, 12(2), May 2010, pp.19-27.
Publisher:
Emerald
This paper details the “Multi-agency Protocol for Single Agency and Multi-agency ‘Triggers’ to Share Information”, agreed by the statutory, multi-disciplinary service agencies in Cornwall following the murder of Steven Hoskin, in 2006. The subsequent, Serious Case Review (SCR, 2007) highlighted shortcomings of a ‘see and treat’ mentality in frontline workers, (e.g. emergency services), who may not have seen themselves as potential ‘alerters’. ‘Triggers’ now exist which alert all agencies to risk of harm and the need for adult safeguarding by and communication between agencies. The protocol is illustrated using a flow chart, its statement of purpose quoted, and the authors discuss implications for three agencies. The Devon and Cornwall police, now a focal point for advice, with all personnel trained in Steven’s circumstances and all senior managers having read the SCR, have incorporated the protocol in their strategy to reduce frequent, 999 calls from the same address, with a ‘neighbourhood harm reduction template’ implemented if over three visits are made to the same address over a three-month period. The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, members of the Safeguarding Adults Board responsible for the Triggers protocol, have incorporated it within their initiative of control room, clinical triaging. Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust have introduced electronic systems at Minor Injury Units, which have helped identify multiple attendances and flag nurse’s concerns at one consultation onto the next.
This paper details the “Multi-agency Protocol for Single Agency and Multi-agency ‘Triggers’ to Share Information”, agreed by the statutory, multi-disciplinary service agencies in Cornwall following the murder of Steven Hoskin, in 2006. The subsequent, Serious Case Review (SCR, 2007) highlighted shortcomings of a ‘see and treat’ mentality in frontline workers, (e.g. emergency services), who may not have seen themselves as potential ‘alerters’. ‘Triggers’ now exist which alert all agencies to risk of harm and the need for adult safeguarding by and communication between agencies. The protocol is illustrated using a flow chart, its statement of purpose quoted, and the authors discuss implications for three agencies. The Devon and Cornwall police, now a focal point for advice, with all personnel trained in Steven’s circumstances and all senior managers having read the SCR, have incorporated the protocol in their strategy to reduce frequent, 999 calls from the same address, with a ‘neighbourhood harm reduction template’ implemented if over three visits are made to the same address over a three-month period. The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, members of the Safeguarding Adults Board responsible for the Triggers protocol, have incorporated it within their initiative of control room, clinical triaging. Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust have introduced electronic systems at Minor Injury Units, which have helped identify multiple attendances and flag nurse’s concerns at one consultation onto the next.
Subject terms:
information management, joint working, learning disabilities, local authorities, multidisciplinary services, procedures, risk assessment, serious case reviews, vulnerable adults, adult abuse, safeguarding adults;
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 created the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service as a safeguard for people without the capacity to make certain important decisions and without family or friends to support them. The Act also introduced a legal duty on NHS bodies and local authorities to refer eligible people to the IMCA service. The service started on 1st April 2007 and this is the report on its second year’s work. There was a 27 percent rise (to 6582) in the number of people receiving representation from the IMCA service compared to the first year. This comprised a 14 percent increase (to 3496) for decisions relating to accommodation moves; a 102 percent increase (to 387) for decisions relating to care reviews; a 43 percent increase (to 968) for decisions relating to serious medical treatment; and a 29 percent increase (to 960) in adult protection proceedings. There is concern that the service is not yet reaching all the people who would benefit, particularly with regard to the continuing low rate of referrals for serious medical treatment. A small study revealed that commissioners were mainly pleased with the service though they wanted IMCAs to be more available and to deliver reports faster. MCA leads in local authorities commented on the professionalism of IMCAs and the benefits to the client group. However, there was a perception within health care settings that involving an IMCA delayed treatment..
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 created the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service as a safeguard for people without the capacity to make certain important decisions and without family or friends to support them. The Act also introduced a legal duty on NHS bodies and local authorities to refer eligible people to the IMCA service. The service started on 1st April 2007 and this is the report on its second year’s work. There was a 27 percent rise (to 6582) in the number of people receiving representation from the IMCA service compared to the first year. This comprised a 14 percent increase (to 3496) for decisions relating to accommodation moves; a 102 percent increase (to 387) for decisions relating to care reviews; a 43 percent increase (to 968) for decisions relating to serious medical treatment; and a 29 percent increase (to 960) in adult protection proceedings. There is concern that the service is not yet reaching all the people who would benefit, particularly with regard to the continuing low rate of referrals for serious medical treatment. A small study revealed that commissioners were mainly pleased with the service though they wanted IMCAs to be more available and to deliver reports faster. MCA leads in local authorities commented on the professionalism of IMCAs and the benefits to the client group. However, there was a perception within health care settings that involving an IMCA delayed treatment..
Subject terms:
law, learning disabilities, local authorities, medical treatment, mental capacity, mental health problems, vulnerable adults, access to services, admission to care, safeguarding adults, adult social care, advocacy, carers, decision making, dementia, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy;