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A cognitive mask? Camouflaging dilemmas in street-level policy implementation to safeguard older people from abuse
- Author:
- ASH Angie
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 43(1), 2013, pp.99-115.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
National policy to safeguard older people from abuse in England and Wales gives social services the lead role in co-ordinating local multi-agency adult safeguarding procedures. The findings of multi-method research carried out in a social services department in Wales are reported to identify the constraints and realities social workers faced when implementing policy to protect older people from abuse. Data sources were thirty-three social workers and managers and local adult safeguarding documentation and statistics. Methods included semi-structured interviews, focus groups, observed meetings, and documentary and statistical analysis of adult protection activity. The research found the dilemmas social workers grappled with were inherent in the structure of their work. Dilemmas included known poor practice and quality in some care services, resource shortfalls and delays in investigating alleged elder abuse. The paper concludes by developing the metaphor of a ‘cognitive mask’ to describe how social workers manage the dissonance arising from dilemmas inherent in the context of their work to safeguard elders and it suggests how this ‘mask’ can be removed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Domestic abuse and older people: factors influencing help-seeking
- Authors:
- WYDALL Sarah, ZERK Rebecca
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 19(5), 2017, pp.247-260.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore professionals’ perceptions of the barriers to help-seeking for victim-survivors of domestic abuse aged 60 years and over. Help-seeking as defined by Anderson and Saunders (2003) is not a single act or decision, but a complex and continuous process, victims engage in when seeking support. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 50 qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with statutory practitioners and managers from 21 out of 22 local authorities in Wales. The research team worked collaboratively to produce a coding scheme which was subjected to a systematic coding exercise using the software package NVivo. Findings: Professionals believed that older people’s “interconnectedness” with family, social embeddedness in the community and “meanings of the home” influenced help-seeking. The research suggests that for older victim-survivors of domestic abuse, age discrimination by practitioners, compounds older people’s experiences of help-seeking, restricting the range, quality and type of support provided. The paper demonstrates that a significant shift is required in practice to ensure that older people are in a position to make informed choices and their wishes are central in the decision-making process. Research limitations/implications: Further qualitative research is needed to explore what older people themselves believe are the factors that impact on statutory service engagement. Originality/value: This study is the first in the UK to conduct Pan-Wales research on professionals’ views on help-seeking behaviours of older people. One of the key findings from the study is that professionals from the statutory sector feel that connections to the home and social networks strongly influence help-seeking for older victim-survivors of domestic abuse. (Publisher abstract)
The impact of the 2005 Mental Capacity Act on social workers' decision making and approaches to the assessment of risk
- Author:
- McDONALD Ann
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 40(4), June 2010, pp.1229-1246.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
While there is no body of law relating directly to older people, the 2005 Mental Capacity Act in England and Wales has introduced a statutory system for assessment and substituted decision making for people lacking the capacity to make independent decisions, including decision making by older people with dementia. This paper, based on research into the early impact of the Act on social work practice, identifies three distinct types of approach to risk emerged: legalistic; actuarial; and rights-based. These three types of social work practice are discussed in the context of modernist assumptions of rationality and self-interest, the demands of a risk society for proficiency at decision making, and the relationship between moral and legal dialogue where social workers intervene when capacity is challenged. The author highlights how the outcomes are relevant to the changing context of social work with people with dementia, the introduction of individual budgets replacing directly provided services and the development of a National Dementia Strategy. The author argues that, although risk-based and actuarial types currently govern practice, rights-based approaches are necessary to support older people in making choices, counteract stereotypes and promoting well-being.
Older people with a sensory impairment: the assessment and management of care
- Authors:
- ROBINSON Catherine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 4(1), April 2003, pp.22-31.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Reports on the findings from a qualitative research study which focuses on non-specialist practitioners responsible for the assessment and management of care for older people and their carers. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with a named officer from each of the 22 unitary authorities in Wales to map strategic arrangements. The second phase of data collection involved face-to-face in-depth interviews with practitioners and other participants from three unitary authorities. The findings relate to practitioners' awareness of sensory impairment in their community; how practitioners assess and manage care; access to services staff training and development; and information strategies. Also examines the interface between non-specialists and practitioners with particular expertise in sensory impairment. Identifies implications for policy and practice.
Creating a unified and fair system for assessing and managing care
- Author:
- WALES. Social Services Inspectorate for Wales
- Publisher:
- WALES. Social Services Inspectorate for Wales
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 32p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Examines issues involved in assessment procedures and care management for Wales. Contents include: assessment of older people; fair access to care for all adult groups; care coordination and personal plans of care for older people; reviews of personal plans of care; unified assessment; key implications for professionals.