Safeguarding in Health and Social Care PDF

Safeguarding in Health and
Social Care

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1A.........................................................................................................................................1
Q1. Why older individuals and groups are vulnerable to abuse/ harm others and self (1.1)......1
Q2. Risk factors that lead to abuse/ harm others and self (1.2)..................................................2
TASK 1B.........................................................................................................................................3
Q3. Impact of social and cultural factors on various types of abuses/ harm to self or others
(1.3).............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
Q4. Analysing strengths and weaknesses of current national/local legislations and policies for
abuse towards vulnerable individuals (2.1).................................................................................5
Q5. Key professionals that protect individuals that are vulnerable to abuse (2.2)......................6
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Health and social care services are provided to those individuals that suffer from different
illnesses and are require caretakers to look after them. These facilities are provided to children
and adults so that they are able to cope with their health risks (Gilchrist, 2014). This assignment
will cover factors contributing to abuse incidences and self-harm along with their contributions.
It will explain various working practices and strategies that can help reduce abuse in health and
social care.
TASK 1A
Q1. Why older individuals and groups are vulnerable to abuse/ harm others and self (1.1)
Bridget and other elder persons like her are more vulnerable to abuse such as physical
and mental abuses by other individuals. In this case, Bridget is 82 years old and being a senior
citizen, she is mentally and physically vulnerable towards any kind of abuse. She does not have
senses, neither the capacity to perform daily activities. Even though she lives with her friend, Mr.
Y, there is no benefit of his presence but rather, he is a factor that is contributing towards her
vulnerability towards harming themselves or others (Moss, 2017). Bridget has been isolated from
her friends and family, which makes her more vulnerable towards abuse. She drinks alcohol
because of her loneliness and this has caused her to become mentally unstable. High substance
abuse causes memory loss as well, and in this case, Bridget is unable to recall various incidents
that has happened in her presence.
Senior citizens or older age groups do not have the strength to perform daily chores and
requires help of other persons. This is why they are vulnerable towards abuse, as their helpers
may get annoyed or agitated when doing work for them. Bridget's friend, Mr. Y has helped her
out on many occasions, but caretakers have observed that he has been violent with her. He had
full control over her due to vulnerability and he had isolated her from the social environment as
well as her caretakers (Glasby, 2017). Being already emotionally and mentally unstable, Bridget
is not able to handle herself and has been admitted in hospital several times. This has made her
vulnerable as she is aware that she no longer has control over her body and mind. She has even
harmed herself, Mr. Y or her caretakers under the influence of alcohol.
The distress of inability to control one's thoughts and actions makes them vulnerable as
well and this is extremely common in old age. Negligence towards Bridget's physical and mental
state by Mr. Y has increased her vulnerability. This is because he lives with her and she is
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dependent on him for her daily activities. Bridget is financially vulnerable as well. There have
been many incidents in which Mr. Y withdrew large amount of money from her bank. He has
taken her jewellery into his possession and has illegally purchased her home as well. This can
cause Bridget to harm herself or even others as she can lose her state of mind. She is helpless as
there in not much she can do to protect herself (Dimond, 2016). It is important for caretakers to
address these factors, so that they can reduce feelings of vulnerability in Bridget and certain
individuals like her in the country.
Q2. Risk factors that lead to abuse/ harm others and self (1.2)
Bridget's vulnerability towards abuse and harm to self or others can be due to many
factors associated with risk. These include the following:
Physical abuse:
Bridget told her caretakers that Mr. Y bullies her regularly. Physical abuse generally
deals with persons inflicting pain on elderly individuals (Papadopoulos, Koulouglioti and Ali,
2018). This can cause Bridget to increase her substance abuse and continue drinking high
amounts of alcohol. Due to the extensive vulnerability towards physical abuse, she may even try
to harm herself or Mr. Y. He has isolated her by not providing the keys to front doors of her
home as well. He does provide proper and healthy food to Bridget, which may lead her getting
furious at Mr. Y and can cause him harm.
Psychological abuse:
Psychological abuse includes negative emotional treatment and making threats to elderly
people. This is a risk factor that can lead to abuse and self-harm (Leung, Yu and Chong, 2017).
It has been seen that Mr. Y shouts at Bridget and has isolated her from friends and family
members. He exercises full control over her as well and has asked caretakers to stop attending
Bridget. These factors can lead her to continuously abuse her alcohol intake and can potentially
harm herself under the influence.
Financial/material abuse:
Financial abuse means illegally using a vulnerable elderly person's money, property and
assets. In this case, Mr. Y had financially abused Bridget and withdrawn money from her bank
accounts on several occasions. Due to her vulnerability and his control over her, Mr. Y had taken
Bridget with him to the bank and made her sign documents that would make him owner of her
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