Safeguarding Adults: Forms of Abuse, Indicators, and Risk Factors

This report addresses the crucial topic of safeguarding adults and promoting their independence within the health and social care context. It begins by defining and outlining various forms of abuse, including domestic violence, bullying, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse, providing detailed explanations of each. The report then delves into the indicators that signal abuse, such as physical injuries, behavioral changes, and financial difficulties. It explores the factors that increase the risk of abuse, focusing on vulnerable populations and environmental contexts. The report also examines key legislation and regulations, including the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act and the Human Rights Act, to emphasize legal protections. Furthermore, it outlines effective working strategies and procedures used in health and social care to prevent and address abuse, emphasizing staff training and partnership. Finally, it highlights the role of supportive relationships in mitigating the risk of abuse, emphasizing core principles such as dignity, equality, and effective communication. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and reinforcing the importance of safeguarding adults.

Safeguarding Adults and Promoting
Independence

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
The forms of abuse experienced by the adults............................................................................1
The indicators that abuse is taking place with adults..................................................................1
The factors that may lead to risk.................................................................................................2
The key legislation and regulation..............................................................................................2
The working strategies and procedures used in health and social care.......................................3
The role of supportive relationships to reduce the risk of abuse.................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
To safeguard all individuals who come into their care is the responsibility of the Health
and Social Care (HSC) workers. The right is being given to all the adults to live safe and secure
lives that is free from any threat or danger of harm or abuse (Markle‐Reid, Browne. and Gafni,
2013).
In this report, the forms of abuse that have been experienced by the adults will be
discussed. The factor that leads to abusive situations will be explained in this report.
Furthermore, the working strategies that have been used in HSC to reduce the risk of abuse will
also be outlined in this report.
The forms of abuse experienced by the adults
There are many types of abuse that are being faced by adults. Some of them are as
follows-:
Domestic violence – When one or both the partners are in a relationship such as marriage,
family, dating etc. then the abusive behaviour by one or both can be defined as domestic abuse.
By accidents it cannot happen and is done intentionally.
Bullying – In this, the more powerful person takes advantage of the person who is in less power
in comparison with that person. It can take place in office, school, colleges and many other
places.
Physical abuse – To another person an injury or trauma can be caused from this act. In case of
domestic violence, the adults can be victims of such abuse.
Sexual abuse- Both physical and non-physical component is included in sexual abuse. The rapes
or other forced sexual acts are involved in it. Against women this type of abuse is often
perpetrated and can also be used against men (Mallers, Claver and Lares, 2013).
Emotional abuse- In this, another person is hurt mentally. The yelling, threats, shaming etc. are
included in this.
The indicators that abuse is taking place with adults
There are various indicators of abuse such as cuts, scars, malnutrition, poor hygiene,
breaks, burns, fractures etc. Due to domestic violence that is being faced there may be cuts,
fractures, unexplained injuries etc. The people who have faced sexual abuse may face the sudden
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or irrational changes in behaviour. They might have mood swings, low-self-esteem, threat of
certain pole etc. In order to organise the day to day activities, individual may also begin to have
difficulty. Due to physical abuse, the stress can be faced by adults which can further lead to
insomniac, ulcers, heart problems and other breathing problems. Due to financial abuse that is
being faced by adults, they will not be able to pay their bills, lack of food and basic necessitates
as one person restrict access to money from other (Graham, Scharlach and Price Wolf, 2014).
Due to emotional abuse the shaming, humiliation, threats etc. are the indicators. The hair-pulling,
punching, slapping are the indicators of physical abuse.
The factors that may lead to risk
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Adults most at risk
People with some disabilities like
physical disabilities, poor
physique, or improper mental
health are some of the vulnerable
people who are not able to stop an
abuser. The elderly people are
also at a high risk.
Environment
In abuse, the environment is a factor
sometimes. In the house of person
or independent living facility, it
can take place. In hospitals or
residential care, it may also occur.
The people that are living in health
and social care settings are also
vulnerable.
Contexts
There are many contexts or situation,
which may result in abuse. For
example, in a situation where
people are not able to do their
work by themselves or to consent
sexual realisation, they lack
mental capacity.
The adults have complexities in
communication are also
influenced by this. There is no
such category of abusers. They
can be friends, relatives,
volunteer, or those working in
health care centres.
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The key legislation and regulation
Safeguarding vulnerable groups acts- In order to neglect harm or risks of harm, this
safeguarding vulnerable groups act was passed (Fyson and Cromby, 2013). The people are being
protected who are deemed unsuitable to work with children and through their work, the access is
given to vulnerable adults (Safeguarding vulnerable groups acts, 2017).
The rehabilitation of offenders act – After a rehabilitation period, the UK Parliament enables
some criminal convictions to be neglected. The main objective of this law is not to give a
lifelong blot to people due to minor offense in their past.
The police act- Through this act, any crime that is being occurring is prevented and detected and
strict actions are taken against it.
Sexual offense act – Any sexual activity between a care worker and a person with mental
disorder is being prohibited by sexual offense act 1993. But the relationship of care continues.
Both on a paid and an unpaid basis, this act is applied on them.
Humans Rights Act- As per this act, equal treatment need to be given to all and with dignity and
respect all should be treated.
Equality Act – Through this act, equal right and treatment is given to all. No discrimination is
being done on the basis of caste, colour, creed, sex etc.
Care standards act - The administration for a variety of institution of care such as children's
home, independent hospitals etc are been provided by this act.
The working strategies and procedures used in health and social care
When hiring the staff, it is essential to have the right procures. For an instance, form
working with people who use services the having access to information regarding adults need to
be barred (Boudiny, 2013.). In order to reduce risk of abuse, the strategies can be made and for
any abuse the compilation procedures need to be assessed. The various schemes such as POVA
and CRB can be used. Moreover, to cut the risk of abuse the working in partnership with adults
can be made by making use of services, families, carers etc. The role of staff training also is
essential in it.
The role of supportive relationships to reduce the risk of abuse
The dignity, equality, respect, fairness and privacy rate the core principles of care. To the
needs of adults, the care providers must listen and effective method of communication need to be
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used by them They can make use of verbal and non-verbal communication. They can respect
privacy while giving them care and also respect their culture and belief. The care pulling, person
centred tactics, effective methods of communication etc. are needed to be included in working
practices. The humanist approach, promoting rights etc. can be included in the supportive
practice. All the social care and mental health need should be met. To the compliant of the
people, the response is needed to be given. With individuals, family the working can be done
effectively (Anton and Dotson, 2015).
CONCLUSION
Thus, summing up the above report, it can be concluded that the physical abuse, sexual
abuse and domestic abuse are some types of abuse. The break, injuries, stress etc. are some
indicators of abuse. In addition, it has been analysed that Health and Social Care adults can also
be at a risk of abuse and pole with liability or some mental disorder are at high risk of abuse. The
police act, equality act, humans cat are some legislation that are there to reduce the risk of abuse.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Anton, S.D. and Dotson, V., 2015. Successful aging: advancing the science of physical
independence in older adults. Ageing research reviews, 24, pp.304-327.
Boudiny, K., 2013. ‘Active ageing’: From empty rhetoric to effective policy tool. Ageing &
Society, 33(6), pp.1077-1098.
Fyson, R. and Cromby, J., 2013. Human rights and intellectual disabilities in an era of ‘choice’.
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 57(12), pp.1164-1172.
Graham, C.L., Scharlach, A.E. and Price Wolf, J., 2014. The impact of the “village” model on
health, well-being, service access, and social engagement of older adults. Health
Education & Behavior, 41(1_suppl), pp.91S-97S.
Mallers, M.H., Claver, M. and Lares, L.A., 2013. Perceived control in the lives of older adults:
The influence of Langer and Rodin’s work on gerontological theory, policy, and practice.
The Gerontologist, 54(1), pp.67-74.
Markle‐Reid, M., Browne, G. and Gafni, A., 2013. Nurse‐led health promotion interventions
improve quality of life in frail older home care clients: lessons learned from three
randomized trials in Ontario, Canada. Journal of evaluation in clinical practice, 19(1),
pp.118-131.
Online
Safeguarding vulnerable groups acts. 2017. [Online]
<https://www.scie.org.uk/publications/guides/guide15/legislation/otherlegislation/
vulnerablepeoplelegislation.asp/>
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