Safeguarding Adults: Case Study, Abuse Types, Consent, Mental Capacity Act, Advocacy, Action Plan

This report provides an overview of safeguarding adults, including a case study, types of abuse, consent, the Mental Capacity Act, advocacy, and an action plan. It discusses the importance of safeguarding and the steps taken to protect individuals from abuse and harm.

SAFEGUARDING
ADULTS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
OVERVIEW OF THE CASE..........................................................................................................1
ABUSE AND ITS TYPES..............................................................................................................1
CONSENT.......................................................................................................................................1
MENTAL CAPACITY ACT...........................................................................................................2
ADVOCACY...................................................................................................................................2
ACTION PLAN...............................................................................................................................2
Gifty’s Motivational Interview...............................................................................................2
Action Plan.............................................................................................................................2
Achievement of Goals............................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Safeguarding refers to all the processes and acts which help in supporting and protecting
individuals from any sort of abuse or harm in whichever way possible (Cooper and White, 2017).
It is a very crucial procedure that is one of the prime responsibilities of Healthcare managers.
Therefore, in this regard, the report below is based on the case study of Gifty, who is an adult
suffering from mild learning and physical disability. The report would be covering a detailed
briefing of the case study of this individual, followed by the abuse she is facing, as well as
acquisition of her consent. Furthermore, the report would also be including discussion of Mental
Capacity Act, Advocacy of Gifty, along with the assistance provided to the individual.
OVERVIEW OF THE CASE
Gifty is a person with mild learning and physical disability. She has been working in a
bakery and likes working there. However, quite recently the bakery has stopped her from
working within the facility saying they do not require her contribution anymore.
However, according to Section 42 of The Care Act 2014, it is necessary for authorities to
make inquiries if an adult is at risk of, or is experiencing abuse (What is a Section 42
Safeguarding Enquiry?, 2020). Hence, this makes Gifty entitled to safeguarding as firstly, she is
an adult and having learning and physical difficulties. Furthermore, another reason is that her
condition could be a possible condition for the neglect and disregard she has been experiencing
from the bakery, which makes her entitled to safeguarding.
ABUSE AND ITS TYPES
Abuse refers to the act of misusing a thing or a person and mistreating them for bad
purposes. There are various types of abuses, mainly physical, sexual, neglect, as well as
emotional abuse (Series, 2015). In case of Gifty, she is experiencing Self neglect, as well as
discrimination, due to being disregarded by the bakery due to her condition.
CONSENT
Consent refers to permission and agreement of an individual towards a process or action
to be taken which concerns the individual. It has several types, which is implied, expressed,
informed and unanimous consent (Palmer and Harmell, 2016). In Gifty’s situation, it is
imperative to have consent as she is an adult and it would be a violation of her rights if any step
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is taken with respect to her situation without informing her. It could cause the healthcare
manager with a serious fine and even imprisonment.
MENTAL CAPACITY ACT
According to NHS, The Mental Capacity Act has been developed to safeguard, as well as
empower individuals who lack the appropriate mental capacity to rightly take their own
decisions in regards to their lives, work, as well as treatment. It could be associated with the
daily decisions of the person, as well as life changing decisions as well about employment and
other aspects (Mental Capacity Act, 2020).
ADVOCACY
Advocacy is the act of providing support to a particular individual towards taking
decisions that are within that person’s best interest (Hoefer, 2019). Hence, in case of Gifty, this
element is really important as she is mentally not capable enough to take corrective actions
against her life situation. The benefit of the same to her would be that she will be getting
professional help towards safeguarding her from the current situation.
ACTION PLAN
Gifty’s Motivational Interview
A motivational interview was conducted of Gifty, where she was effectively engaged
through empathising on her situation and making her communicate all the issues she has been
currently facing. Through that, Gifty’s wish was to work in the Bakery as she loved the
environment, along with the people. Moreover, she never got any complaints about her work and
customers seem to have a nice time with her around. Hence, Gifty wants her employee status
back. Moreover, the interview also revealed that she was not being made familiar clearly of what
was expected of her, which made her a rather uneasy sometimes. Hence, she wanted her to be
treated as equally as other employees.
Action Plan
The next step as depended upon her wish would be to act ethically and legally against the
discrimination and neglect that Gifty had faced within the organisation. For this purpose, the
bakery would be communicated towards their disregard and abuse caused to this individual along
with the consequences which they might face of such disregard. Along with this, a plea would be
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included in the notice asking the bakery to restore Gifty as an employee while necessary action
and supporting activities would be performed to improve her mental and physical condition. In
addition, supporting personnel would be accompanying Gifty to carry out her duties in a swift
manner.
Achievement of Goals
There will be various steps that would be taken in regards to help Gifty achieve her goals.
For example, she would be given counselling, along with brain development exercises which
makes her more productive in understanding decisions and act upon the same. Moreover, in
regards to her physical disability, she will be given proper support through clear and appropriate
exercise in context of enhancing her physical movements and better mobility in the bakery.
Furthermore, regular monitoring of her actions, as well as that of bakery through repeated
feedbacks from customers and colleagues would also be undertaken so that Gifty could be
safeguarded in a prominent and essential manner (Iemmi and et. al., 2015).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded from the report above that safeguarding adults is one of the most
required and immediate responsibilities of a Healthcare Manager. It is necessary that appropriate
overview is provided on the case which could set up a basis for further analysis. Furthermore, it
is imperative that abuses, along with its types are identified so that the intensity of the same
could be clearly articulated. In addition to this, it is very important to acquire consent of an
individual as they are adults and it is within their rights. Moreover, advocacy must be effectively
communicated to people to enhance safeguarding procedure. Lastly, it is important that effective
action is taken against any form of abuses which are desired by the person in question and are
within their best interest.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Cooper, A. and White, E., 2017. Safeguarding adults under the care Act 2014. Jessica Kingsley
Publishers.
Hoefer, R., 2019. Advocacy practice for social justice. Oxford University Press.
Iemmi, V., and et. al., 2015. Positive behavioural support for adults with intellectual disabilities
and behaviour that challenges: an initial exploration of the economic case. International
Journal of Positive Behavioural Support. 5(1). pp.16-25.
Palmer, B.W. and Harmell, A.L., 2016. Assessment of healthcare decision-making
capacity. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology. 31(6). pp.530-540.
Series, L., 2015. Relationships, autonomy and legal capacity: Mental capacity and support
paradigms. International journal of law and psychiatry. 40. pp.80-91.
Online
Mental Capacity Act. 2020. [Online] Available Through: <
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/making-decisions-for-
someone-else/mental-capacity-act/>
What is a Section 42 Safeguarding Enquiry?. 2020. [Online] Available Through: <
https://www.rbsab.org/UserFiles/Docs/F4%20What%20is%20an%20enquiry.pdf>
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