Analysis of Safeguarding Measures in Health and Social Care: A Report

This report delves into the critical aspects of safeguarding in health and social care, focusing on the vulnerability of individuals like Ms. Bridget to abuse. It examines the reasons behind vulnerability, including dependence on others and the impact of social and cultural factors on different types of a...Read More

Safeguarding in
Health and Social
Care

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Reasons why an individual(Ms. Bridget) or a group may be vulnerable to abuse or harm to
self or others...........................................................................................................................1
1.2 Reviewing individual risk factors that may lead to incidence of abuse/harm..................2
1.3 Analyse the impact of social and cultural factors on difference types of abuse...............3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Analyse the strength and weaknesses in current legislation and policies........................4
2.2 Involvements of professionals in protecting individuals and groups vulnerable to abuse5
TASK 3 (Covered in Poster)............................................................................................................6
3.1 Describing existing working practices and strategies designed to minimise abuse in health
................................................................................................................................................6
3.2 Evaluating effectiveness of working practices and strategies..........................................6
3.3 Suggestions to improve existing working practices ........................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
Online.....................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Abuse can happen to anyone, at anytime and anywhere. No one has any control over it.
The alarming situation is that more of adults or elderly age people are suffering from various
kinds of abuses every day. These adults are treated badly not only in their homes but also in their
care facilities which are also called as nursing home, care home, etc. Generally, old people are
dependent on other people and that is why they bear all this torture and pain and does not
complain at all which other people take advantage of (Blane, Rhodes and Ward, 2010). This
report discusses about the case study of Ms. Bridget who is 82 years old and living with her
friend Mr. Y. It is noticed several times that Mr. Y tortures and abuses Ms. Bridget very much.
He only wants the property of her. This report will discuss about the factors that contribute to
incidence of abuse and harm, current legislation and policies associated with abuse in health and
social care as well as working practices and strategies used to minimum abuse.
TASK 1
1.1 Reasons why an individual (Ms. Bridget) or a group may be vulnerable to abuse or harm to
self or others
It is very much obvious to feel vulnerable to abuse or harm to self and others because
normally, elderly people are dependent on others or need help of others to do their daily work.
These kinds of people are kept under continuous guidance of care workers so that they would not
hurt themselves and others as well. People normally feel vulnerable when they do not feel that
they can protect themselves from the people who will harm them. So, people take advantage of
such situations and continue harming people.
There are various categories of people that are vulnerable to abuse. It is divided into four
types which are like vulnerable individuals in which generally elderly people are considered who
are suffering from any kind of physical or mental disability. Other one is Vulnerable Groups in
which it is said that people of several backgrounds are brought to some place by force and later
on abuse them.
As per the given case, it can be said that Ms. Bridget was feeling vulnerable from Mr. Y
as he was not behaving well with her and not giving her time as well (Barlow and Calam, 2011).
Also, the behaviour of Mr. Y towards the hospital staff was also not good. So many concerns
were raised towards him. Mr. Y also started doing emotional abuse towards Ms. Bridget and was
keeping complete control over her and was also not allowing her to meet her friends as well.
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Sometimes, physical and biological disabilities also make cause people to be vulnerable as they
are not in a position to make quick decisions at the time they are facing any kind of abuse. So, in
case of Ms. Bridget, she was also weak and not capable to work on her own as she was
completely dependent on Mr. Y, so even though she felt vulnerable she couldn't react (Currie and
Lockett, 2011).
Also, she was having only one brother who lived somewhere in the UK and no other
relative was there. So, in these situations also, people feel abusive and unsafe as they think that
no one is there to protect them or to take care of them. If many cases, it is heard that when old
age adult people are homeless or live away from their family, they are more exposed towards the
physical abuse. So, from all these factors, it can be said that there are several reasons because of
which an individual person can feel vulnerable where ever they go and to any person they meet.
1.2 Reviewing individual risk factors that may lead to incidence of abuse/harm
There are various kinds of risk factors that are associated with cases of harm and abuse.
The factors will be different for everyone as people are different so the feeling of risk will also
be distinct for everyone. Like the thins which are risky for an aged person may not be risky for
young generation. With reference to elder people due to old age and incapable of doing their
work they need someone for their daily task. Sometimes, due to their impatient behaviour their
care taker also gets impolite which creates imbalance in between care taker and elder person.
There are some factors which lead to abuse:
CULTURAL FACTOR:
It plays a very important role in making behaviour of people towards other. If a person is
having basic etiquettes then they will behave nicely with adults and will treat them in a nice
manner. So, a person should always behave well because this is their children will learn from
them.
FAMILY BACKGROUND:
Family is a primary place for education. These days, families become nuclear and hence,
if somebody interferes in their matter, they get irritated and sometimes might abuse. These days
mother and father both are working this gives good financial position but interpersonal relations
between parents and child are very poor. Today's generation are lack of patience which leads to
separations of family, divorces, arguments between parents and children (Ellis, 2011).
INDIVIDUAL FACTOR:
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Individual factors plays a vital role in one's nature. Violent behaviour, any kind of
disability affects man-to-man. There are chances that companionship may lead to someone abuse
to elders. Temper level of people also affect nature differently (Fyson and Kitson, 2010).
SOCIAL FACTOR:
Place where you live affects the most. These days parents are working hence their
children doesn't get chance to live with their family. Distance with family lead to indulge in
wrong practises. This creates lack of interaction of children from society and their involvement
in social activities.
Those whose earning are not treated in good manner. This creates the feeling of isolation in the
mind. Unemployment and poverty are the major issues if affects person adversely.
1.3 Analyse the impact of social and cultural factors on difference types of abuse
Both social and cultural factors are having a deep impact on people who are suffering
from abuse anywhere. Social factors are having more effect on the risk of physical as well as
mental abuse. So, there are various factors through a person can be exposed to any kind of abuse
like:
Impact of Social factors are:-
 There are various types of social factors like housing , health and education, poverty ,
social exclusion, ow status etc. that are having a strong effect in the lives of people.
 If a person is homeless or is not having anyone to care then it will increase the chances
of physical abuse as the person will feel that there is no one to stop him and the victim is
not so powerful. According to WHO(World health organisation), approx 23% of adult
women are raped when they were homeless or alone at home. So, it is one of the reason.
 Another important factors is health and education in which it is said that if a person is not
well educated or does not have enough knowledge about is right and what is wrong so ion
such cases people who have wrong intentions can take advantage of this situation and
harm the person very much. So, it is very important that the person is well educated so
that no one can take advantage of them (Blane, Rhodes and Ward, 2010).
Impact of Cultural factors are :-
 The cultural factors include discrimination with context to caste, race , religion , colour
etc. all these factors are a part of people life so if anyone tries to harm it then it brings a
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vast change in the lives of people. Adults are having lots of cultural believes and thus if
anyone harms their belief it affects them very badly (Barlow and Calam, 2011).
 There are several times when people are discriminated on the basis of their religion and
are not being treated properly which affects adults very much. Discrimination is the main
reason for physical abuse sometimes because after being discriminated the person feels
isolated and are affecting their own health issues.
 In case of Ms. Bridget, there were many times when Mr. Y was not available with her
when she needed him the most and Mr. Y also did not allow her to meet her friends , so it
was a kind of mental abuse which was cause to Ms. Bridget.
TASK 2
2.1 Analyse the strength and weaknesses in current legislation and policies
Since there are various kinds of policies and legislations formed for people who are
suffering from any kind of abuse, it becomes very necessary to analyse its strengths and
weaknesses so that it can be known that it is beneficial for them are not. In case of Ms. Bridget,
there were so many kinds of abuse that was faced by her so to make her come out of it, various
policies and act need to be considered. Some of them are :-
Mental Capacity Act 2005
This act works for the people who are mentally disable or have less mental capability.
Due to surrounding environment sometimes people may get included in the group of mental
incapability. People under such type of category needs to be taken care with care. They need
special care and respect from others. Thy get equal chance for basic facilities such as
transportation, medical, education etc. Due to this act, person who is incapable of handling their
dilemma gets emotional attachment from their dear ones (Currie and Lockett, 2011).
Safeguarding Vulnerable Group Act, 2006
This act is important for the society as it works for the health of adult who are the
majority part of the social group. There is independent authority which work for this act. This
authority provides an edge for first aid services, medical facilities, transport quickness at the time
of emergency . This provides security feeling in the mind of society. This act has to be modified
as its area of span is narrow.
Health Care Act 2014
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This act provides chance to society for fit and healthy. Health care act develops strategies
for the physical, mental and social growth of the whole society. Feeling of security is the main
motto of this act (Ellis, 2011). There are many healthy problems to the person but there is no
safeguards to protect, this gives the opportunity how to care take from disease. There are many
chapters in this act like Rights and Duties of Users and Health Care Personnel, Provisional
Health, Health Establishments, etc.
Sexual Offences Act 2003
Sexual act came into existence on 1 May 2004. This act applied to England and Wales
only. As the name suggests this act provides social security to the society which reduces the fear
of sexual harassment from the mind of elder people. This act is not applicable for small scale
issues. This act gives knowledge how to take care elder person and give emphasis on providing
emotional attachment.
2.2 Involvements of professionals in protecting individuals and groups vulnerable to abuse
There are various kinds of professionals that are involved while protecting the individuals
and groups who feel unsafe or vulnerable at home. The key professionals that are involved in his
process are local authorities, care providers, health services, housing providers etc. and all these
play a very important role in safeguarding person. All these key professionals do their job very
well by assessing the risk of abuse and developing care services at the care home and all these
professionals are considered as reliable for any kind of issues suffering in health and social care.
The various kinds of professionals are :-
 Health providers – If any person is working in the field of health and social care then
they have a responsibility to protect adults who are facing from any kind of vulnerability.
All the health professionals are required to have good knowledge and understanding
about the professional bodies that are working , the defence societies and trusts that are
working for safeguarding vulnerable adults . They should have good understanding about
all the signs and signals of abuse that can be seen in a person who is suffering from any
kind of abuse. Signs can be Physical, sexual, emotional etc. these people should also be
aware about the procedures that can be followed by them in order to protect the adults
(Fyson and Kitson, 2010).
 General practitioners and primary health care staff – General practitioners play a
crucial role in providing health services. Every person who is living in UK is having a
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right to get registered with them. They should have enough knowledge about the issues
that are being faced by people in society. All the staff members should be trained well so
that they can treat the patients in an effective manner. In case of Ms. Bridget, she was
being treated in a good care home as the staff was there with her and was witnessing all
the activities that are happening with her in the care home (Glasby and Dickinson, 2014).
 Local Authorities – It is said that welfare and protection of adults who feel vulnerable is
the corporate responsibility of local authorities who are working in partnership with other
public agencies. So, they need to take care that they take a note on all the changes that are
happening in society so that they can give effective solutions.
 Social service Authorities – They are also considered as equally responsible for the
changes that are happening in the lives of people. Abusing with someone ios a crime amy
it be any kind of abuse so, it is the moral responsibility of them to coordinate and assess
the needs of individuals regarding the abuse they are facing.
TASK 3 (Covered in Poster)
3.1 Describing existing working practices and strategies designed to minimise abuse in health
3.2 Evaluating effectiveness of working practices and strategies
3.3 Suggestions to improve existing working practices
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that it is very important to safeguard the
person who is suffering from any kind of abuse in their life. It can be said that abuse can happen
with anyone and at anytime so people should make themselves strong from body as well as mind
so that they do not get affected with any such abuse and can fight back as well. In this report,
case of Ms. Bridget was discussed who was suffering from Physical , mental and Financial abuse
. It was said that this abuse was done by Mr. Y her friend with whom she was living. Here, the
various factors that makes an individual vulnerable is discussed along with the risk factors that
needs to be identified by care providers. The current legislations and policies are also formed so
as to ensure safety to people but it has some weaknesses as well which can be removed by
applying the working practices and strategies .
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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conjoint or collective?. International Journal of Management Reviews. 13(3). pp.286-
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Ellis, K., 2011. ‘Street‐level Bureaucracy’Revisited: The Changing Face of Frontline Discretion
in Adult Social Care in England. Social Policy & Administration. 45(3). pp.221-244.
Fyson, R. and Kitson, D., 2010. Human rights and social wrongs: Issues in safeguarding adults
with learning disabilities. Practice. 22(5). pp.309-320.
Glasby, J. and Dickinson, H., 2014. Partnership working in health and social care: what is
integrated care and how can we deliver it?. Policy Press.
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agenda’in services for older people in England. Ethics and Social Welfare. 4(2). pp.188-
200.
Lymbery, M., 2010. A new vision for adult social care? Continuities and change in the care of
older people. Critical Social Policy. 30(1). pp.5-26.
Manthorpe, J. and Martineau, S., 2010. Serious case reviews in adult safeguarding in England:
An analysis of a sample of reports. The British Journal of Social Work. 41(2).
McKeeargue, M., 2010. Budget crises, health, and social welfare programmes. Bmj, 341. p.77.
Parton, N., 2010. Child protection and safeguarding in England: Changing and competing
conceptions of risk and their implications for social work. British Journal of Social
Work. 41(5). pp.854-875.
Rigby, M. and et. al., 2011. Social care informatics as an essential part of holistic health care: a
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Schwartz, L. A. and et. al., 2011. A social‐ecological model of readiness for transition to adult‐
oriented care for adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions. Child:
care, health and development. 37(6). pp.883-895.
Sheldon, B., 2011. Cognitive-behavioural therapy: Research and practice in health and social
care. Routledge.
Stevens, M. and et. al., 2011. Assessing the role of increasing choice in English social care
services. Journal of Social Policy. 40(2). pp.257-274.
Tew, J.and et. al., 2012. Social factors and recovery from mental health difficulties: a review of
the evidence. The British Journal of Social Work. 42(3). pp.443-460.
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Webber, M., McCree, C. and Angeli, P., 2013. Inter‐agency joint protocols for safeguarding
children in social care and adult mental‐health agencies: a cross‐sectional survey of
practitioner experiences. Child & Family Social Work. 18(2). pp.149-158.
Blane, Rhodes and Ward, 2010Barlow and Calam, 2011,Currie and Lockett, 2011Ellis,
2011Fyson and Kitson, 2010Glasby and Dickinson, 2014Grajales and et. al.,
2014Karanikolos and et. al., 2013Lai and et. al., 2013Lloyd, 2010Lymbery,
2010Manthorpe and Martineau, 2010McKeeargue, 2010Parton, 2010Rigby and et. al.,
2011Schwartz and et. al., 2011Sheldon, 2011Stevens and et. al., 2011Tew and et. al.,
2012Webber, McCree and Angeli, 2013
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