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Wales’ safeguarding policy and practice: a critical analysis
- Author:
- PHILLIPS Carys
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 18(1), 2016, pp.14-27.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The safeguarding and protection components of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 offers the culmination of four years consultation in England and Wales by the Law Commission and many years of evolving policy and practice with a view to protecting adults from harm. The purpose of this paper is to offer both scrutiny and challenge for Wales’ policy makers and practitioners alike. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a critical analysis of both current responses and forthcoming changes. Findings: The paper proposes that Wales has failed to implement previous recommendations in relation to institutional abuse. Currently in Wales, there are individuals employed in safeguarding lead roles who have no social care qualification. This apparent “loophole” has not to date been highlighted to date by either of the regulatory bodies within Wales (CSSIW/CCfW). Research limitations/implications: The paper offers a viewpoint but leaves some questions unanswered. Practical implications: The Williams Review in April 2014 is set to change the local authority landscape in Wales. There is scope for developing the function of adult safeguarding. Social implications: Wales’ failure to recognize institutionalized abuse as a distinct category may have had impacted on its ability to respond to abuse in nursing and care as well hospital settings. (Edited publisher abstract)
A review of factors which potentially influence decisions in adult safeguarding investigations
- Author:
- TRAINOR Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(1), 2015, pp.51-61.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to look at safeguarding documentation in relation to 50 adult safeguarding files for the period April 2010 to March 2011. This was followed up with semi-structured interviews with a small number of Designated Officers whose role it is to screen referrals and coordinate investigations. Findings from the research were used to redesign regional adult safeguarding documentation to ensure Designated Officers have access to the information necessary to assist them in reaching decisions. Designated and Investigating Officer training was also updated to reflect learning from the research thereby reducing the potential for variation in practice. Design/methodology/approach: A file tool was developed which examined the recorded information in safeguarding documentation contained within 50 service user files. The review tool looked at the personal characteristics of the vulnerable adult, the nature of the alleged abuse and the decisions/outcomes reached by staff acting as safeguarding Designated Officers. A semi-structured interview schedule asked Designated Offices to comment on the training and understanding of the process as well as the factors they believed were central to the decision making process. Their responses were compared to data obtained from the file review. Findings: A key finding in the research was that while factors such as type of abuse, the vulnerable adults’ consent to cooperate with proceedings, identity of the referrer, etc. did influence decisions taken there was a lack of clarity on the part of Designated Officers in relation to their roles and responsibilities and of the process to be followed. Research limitations/implications: The research was limited to one Health & Social Care Trust area and had a small sample size (n=50). Practical implications: The findings of the research led to a revamping of existing safeguarding documentation which had failed to keep pace with developments and was no longer fit for purpose. Adult safeguarding training courses within the Trust were redesigned to bring greater focus to the role and responsibilities of designated and Investigating Officers and the stages in the safeguarding process. Adult Safeguarding leads were established within programmes of care and professional support mechanisms put in place for staff engaged in this area of work. Social implications: Better trained and supported staff alongside more efficient safeguarding systems should lead to better outcomes in the protection of vulnerable people from abuse and harm. Originality/value: The research built on existing albeit limited research into what potentially influences staff involved in critical decision-making processes within adult safeguarding. (Publisher abstract)
Protection of vulnerable adults: monitoring report 2006-2007
- Author:
- CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES INSPECTORATE WALES
- Publisher:
- Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 19p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
The report identifies the continuing increase in the number of adult protection referrals and the workload associated with this. It is likely that this reflects in significant part the increased awareness of staff working with vulnerable adults (and their concerned families). Another key finding of the report is that the largest number of referrals across Wales over a number of years are consistently for older people, followed by those for people with learning disabilities.
Building for all: identifying the need for supported housing in London
- Authors:
- ROGERS Nigel, GOLDUP Mark, O'LEARY Chris
- Publisher:
- London Housing Federation
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 11p.
- Place of publication:
- London
A joint publication from the London Housing Federation, Housing Corporation and Mayor of London, this new report shows that London has a serious shortage of specialist supported housing suitable for certain socially-excluded groups of people. The report estimates how many extra homes with support are needed for London’s vulnerable residents, and how many will be needed in 10 years’ time. It finds that London needs 4,421 additional supported homes, rising to 5,874 by 2017. More than 70 per cent of these are for socially excluded people with the remainder split between people with disabilities or learning difficulties, and older people. East London has the greatest need for all kinds of supported housing, owing to higher levels of deprivation and a fast-growing population.
Research into practice
- Author:
- FOSKETT Andy
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 1.8.02, 2002, p.49.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Looks at research into the implementation of 'No Secrets', the government guidance on the protection of vulnerable adults.
Online safety and wellbeing of adults at risk of harm
- Authors:
- MUIRHEAD Stuart, SANDERS Robert
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
A learning resource developed for social services practitioners providing an introduction into adults at risk of harm and online safety. It covers the perceived risks, forms of abuse, themes of harassment, how the risks can be reduced, and prompts for practitioners. Includes a list of references providing links to current information and evidence. It was developed with the assistance of the National L&D Adult Support & Protection Group and the Iriss Evidence Search and Summary Service. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental capacity and deprivation of liberty: the Law Commission’s review of the deprivation of liberty safeguards
- Author:
- SPENCER-LANE Tim
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 19(4), 2017, pp.220-227.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the Law Commission’s final report and recommendations on the reform of the deprivation of liberty safeguards under the Mental Capacity Act. Design/methodology/approach: Summary Findings: The proposals contained in the Law Commision Review and proposals for law reform are outlined. (Publisher abstract)
The role of the Court of Protection in safeguarding
- Authors:
- KEENE Alex Ruck, STRICKLIN-COUTINHO Kelly, GILFILLAN Henry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(6), 2015, pp.380-390.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to outline how questions relating to capacity arise in the context of safeguarding, and when applications to the Court of Protection are required in relation to those who may lack capacity. It also seeks to provide guidance as to how applications to the Court of Protection should be made so as to ensure that they are determined effectively and in a proportionate fashion. Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws on the practical experience of practising barristers appearing before the Court of Protection, and on the experience of a social worker who is an MCA/DOLS lead at a London local authority. The paper proceeds by way of a review of the relevant statutory provisions, an overview of the Court of Protection and then to a practical analysis of when and how applications to the Court need to be made. Findings: When to go to the Court of Protection in the safeguarding context is poorly understood, and there has not been proper recognition of the fact that proceedings for “adult care orders” have a strong forensic analogy with applications for care orders in relation to children. It is only by recognising these forensic similarities that local authorities can properly make use of the Court of Protection in the discharge of their obligations to vulnerable adults in their area. Practical implications: The paper should lead to a recognition that there is a specialist “adult protection court” within the Court of Protection, and that applications for adult care orders to that court require specific and careful preparation and presentation. It will therefore lead to better use of the Court of Protection in the safeguarding context and – ultimately – a better balance between empowerment and protection of vulnerable adults who may lack capacity. Originality/value: The paper is original in combining both legal and social work expertise to reach practical conclusions as to why such poor use has been made of the Court of Protection in safeguarding context. Its value lies in the deployment of that expertise to suggest how better use can be made in the future. (Publisher abstract)
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation: considerations in aging with lifelong disabilities
- Authors:
- ANSELLO Edward F., O'NEILL Peggy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 22(1-2), January 2010, pp.105-130.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article reviews existing data primarily from North America, but including Australia and Ireland, for factors known to contribute to the victimisation of older adults with lifelong learning disabilities. Many “are relatively high functioning, engaged and happy members of their communities”, but some, are or have been abused, neglected or subject to exploitation, and the prevalence of such maltreatment is discussed. Existing data is also scanned for the treatments currently in practice and the authors suggest initiatives to build further on continued community living, by improving upon preventive practices and identification techniques. The authors discuss why there greater risk of abuse for those with lifelong disabilities and why these are underreported. Consequences of maltreatment are listed, followed by the issues and needs of family carers, such as the lack of long-term planning until crisis point. The authors suggest recommendations for practice, such as adapting mental health interventions, and implications for public policies on prevention and identification.
Helping vulnerable adults to keep safe
- Authors:
- COLLINS Mick, WALFORD Mel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 10(1), February 2008, pp.7-12.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes innovative work in Powys, mid Wales, where trainers are working with vulnerable adults to help them reduce the risk that they will be abused, or if the worst happens, where to turn for help. College staff have developed a course that runs to one afternoon a week for the academic year for people with learning disabilities. For people with mental health problems the approach had been workshop based, with a programme of six or eight workshops, run by skilled trainers. For older people a third approach has been developed because there are so many older people who need to hear about Keeping Safe. After piloting one-off workshops and presentations, the trainer has worked with staff and volunteers from a variety of agencies who already work with older people to train them as trainers working in pairs. Those who have received training will be delivering sessions in luncheon clubs, day services, care homes etc.