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Professional boundaries in learning disability care
- Authors:
- BOWLER Mandy, NASH Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 110(21), 2014, pp.12-15.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Healthcare staff providing care for people with a learning disability often deliver intimate personal care and have access to confidential information about vulnerable clients. Awareness of professional boundaries can help them to avoid either under- or over-involvement with patients and clients. This article gives examples of how South Tyneside Foundation Trust learning disabilities services support the education and training of staff working within the community and domiciliary care services in maintaining boundaries with patients. (Edited publisher abstract)
The ambiguities of professional and societal wisdom
- Authors:
- HUNTER Susan, KENDRICK Michael
- Journal article citation:
- Ethics and Social Welfare, 3(2), July 2009, pp.158-169.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
This paper examines the potential limitations of professional wisdom alongside those of society more generally with respect to upholding the well-being of vulnerable and marginalized people. It presents the dangers, referring to four well-documented illustrations of professional failure, that services and service systems pose when both professionals and society at large do not demonstrate sufficient measures of positive values and ethics to ensure the protection of vulnerable people within care systems. While it argues that reform of service systems and the repair of such breaches are always possible, even such system reform may fail if it is not ultimately guided by wisdom not only from professionals but society itself. Several recent international examples of this wisdom are noted. It sees such wisdom as being located in the inherited values and social ethics of a society and the power of these to guide human conduct in the face of the profound and ongoing limitations of human nature.
Amendments to the Mental Health Act 1983: implications for people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- HALL Ian, ALI Afia
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, 3(1), March 2009, pp.3-8.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The new Mental Health Act 2007 substantially amends the Mental Health Act 1983. In this article, some of the most important changes are highlighted, including changes to the definition of mental disorder, the new professional roles of approved mental health practitioner and responsible clinician, and the new powers for Supervised Community Treatment. The likely impact of these changes for people with learning disability and professionals working with them is discussed.
Re-assessing the social worker's role as an appropriate adult
- Author:
- WHITE Ciaran
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 24(1), 2002, pp.55-65.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The role of the appropriate adult is a small but significant element of the criminal justice system, designed to offer some degree of protection to particular categories of vulnerable person suspects; namely juveniles and mentally disordered persons in police detention. The role is quite often performed by social workers, though it is not exclusive to them. However, authorities have given little detailed thought as to how the duties of the appropriate adult are to be complied with and it appears that very often social workers are not trained in performing the role. This article suggests that we re-appraise our expectations of those asked to fill the role of the appropriate adult, offering them more detailed guidance on specific issues. It also explores how organized training could help social workers to discharge the role in a manner commensurate with its spirit.
The role of the appropriate adult in supporting vulnerable adults in custody: comparing the perspectives of service users and service providers
- Authors:
- JESSIMAN Tricia, CAMERON Ailsa
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 45(4), 2017, p.246=252.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Accessible Summary: 1) When a vulnerable adult is in police custody, they should have someone with them to help them understand what is happening. This person is called an appropriate adult (AA); 2) Previous research has shown that the role of the AA is not always well understood. This study compares the views of both professionals and vulnerable adults; 3) Adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems said looking after them and helping them communicate were the most important things an AA should do; 4) Like other studies have shown, not all adults who should be provided with an AA in custody have had one. This may be because no agency has a statutory duty to provide one. This study recommends that AA services should try and engage more effectively with vulnerable adults. Background: Police custody sergeants have a duty to secure an AA to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable people detained or questioned by the police. This study focuses on the role of the AA in supporting vulnerable adults and seeks to examine what stakeholders would expect from an effective AA service. Methods: This was a qualitative study of four AA services in England. Interviews were undertaken with 25 professionals, and two focus groups were held with service-user groups (13 participants). Results: There is disparity between the expectations of professionals, and service users, on what comprises an effective service. Professionals tend to prioritise the availability and response time of AAs, while service users prioritise their personal attributes and demeanour. Conclusions: Professionals involved in commissioning and management of AA services should monitor whether the rights of vulnerable adults in custody are protected and better engage vulnerable adults beyond service delivery. (Edited publisher abstract)