Safeguarding in Health and Social Care: Abuse Minimization Report

This report on safeguarding in health and social care explores various aspects of protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse and harm. It begins by defining safeguarding and identifying individuals and groups susceptible to abuse, such as the elderly and those with dependencies. The report delves into risk factors, including dependency, lack of affection, and illness, as well as factors like unsupported attitudes and social isolation. It then examines existing working practices and strategies designed to minimize abuse, such as encouraging participation and implementing anti-discriminatory practices. The report evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies and suggests improvements, including stricter policies, training programs for healthcare workers, and a focus on individual health. Finally, it analyzes the influence of social and cultural components on different kinds of abuse, providing a comprehensive overview of safeguarding in health and social care settings.

SAFEGUARDING IN
HEALTH AND SOCIAL
CARE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Explanation about particular individual and group may be vulnerable to abuse and harm to
self and others.............................................................................................................................3
1.2 Explanation about the risk factors associated with the incidence of abuse and harm to self
and others....................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Explanation about the existing working practices and strategies designed to minimise
abuse in health and social care context.......................................................................................6
3.2 Evaluation about the effectiveness of working practices and strategies used to minimise
abuse in health and social care contexts......................................................................................6
3.3 Discussion about to improvement to working practices and strategies to minimise abuse
in health and care context............................................................................................................7
TASK 3 Poster.................................................................................................................................8
1.3 Analysis of the influence of social and cultural component on various kinds of abuse and
harm to self and other..................................................................................................................8
2.1 Analysis of the strength and weakness of current legislation and policies relating to abuse
of vulnerable people....................................................................................................................9
2.2 Explanation about professional involvement in protecting groups in the health and social
care..............................................................................................................................................9
1

INTRODUCTION
In the present time, in health and care organisation requires effective equipment and
instruments for delivering high quality of treatment. Every individual requires effective care and
treatment through which they can overcome their health issues and problem. Safeguarding is
very important within health and care organisation through which they can protect their health
and survive in the society without any harms and abuses (Acton, 2013). In a simple word it can
be said that safeguarding is kinds of measuring technique for protecting human health, young
people ad adults so they can live without any abuse. The safeguarding word is generally used in
order to protect rights of individual such as children, teenager and adults those who are suffering
from the negligence, abuse in the society. There are several laws and legislation developed by
the government in order to protect individual from abuse and mental harm and also for deliver
effective care, respect and security in the community. In addition to this, several risk factors
associated with the incidence of abuse and harm of self and other has been also discussed in this
report.
TASK 1
1.1 Explanation about particular individual and group may be vulnerable to abuse and harm to
self and others
In the community, every people have right to live without negligence, harm and abuse. Every
one required living within the society with own freedom and own dependency if they are
dependent to another one then they may abuse by someone (Baker and Baker, 2009). There are
various form of negligence and abuses such as physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, physiological.
As per the given case scenario, Hillcroft nursing home staff sentenced for residents abuse. In the
elderly residents at care home in Lancashire four care workers has been sentenced for abusing
2

elderly residents at a care home in the Lancashire. Any individual may harm and abuse by
several reasons and these reasons are discussed below- Dependency- Dependency is one of the major reason which causes abuse and negligence
to adult. While any individual fully dependent to another person then they may abuse and
neglected from another one (Brand, 2012). If any individual takes care of their own then
no one can abuse them because they have the rights to take their own decision as per their
wishes and requirements. As per the case scenario, four car workers has been sentenced
for abusing elderly residents at a care home Lancashire because they were charged with
ill treatment and wilful neglect of a person with lack of capacity under the Mental
capacity act 2005. Lack of affection- This is another major reason due to which anyone can get harm and
abuse by self or other person (Buchanan and Carnwell, 2004). Lack of emotional
affection and unlike from the family member is another major reason due to which
anyone can get abuse and harm.
 Disorder, or illness and aged person- This is another one of the major kind of reason
due to which anyone can get neglected and abuse by someone. While anyone has illness,
disorder and old age then they may abuses and neglect by someone. As per the given
case, Michael Rowlinsome son complaints that director and management of Hillcroft
failed in their basic duty to ensure safe care for residents (Fisher, 2005). Norman was the
father of Michael Rowlinson was suffering from Alzhemer. He said that he has feeling of
guild for not being able to look after him. Thus, it can be said that due to the disorder,
illness anyone can abuse and negligence so it is major reason in the health and care
setting.
1.2 Explanation about the risk factors associated with the incidence of abuse and harm to self and
others
As per the given case scenario of the elderly residents at a care home in Lancashire, there
is lack of proper management due to which patient has not got proper treatment and care services
from the health experts (Garcarz and Wilcock, 2003). In this case home, it was identified that
thee are some any risk factors involved which are concealed and complex in health care setting.
3

Due to the risk factors in the health care setting abuse and harm of vulnerable adults can be
arisen which are discussed below-
Unsupported attitude-
Negative support from family and care homes worker is one of the risk factor that may
lead to incidence of abuse and harm to self and other (Glasby, 2012). It is great responsibility of
family and care worker to treat with patient in effective manner so as they can feel positive. For
instance if any individual have illness regarding dementia so in this illness he/she may forget
memories and he or she may act as aggressive. In this situation they required support from other
and if family member and care worker do not give proper support then they may aggressive.
History of abuse
Bad experience is another one of the risk factor associated with the incidence of abuse and harm
to self and others. The person those who suffered from physical abuse may sometime get
aggressive (Greener, 2009).
Social isolation
In this kind of problem, the major problem with individual is that they are unable to
communicate and interact with society. This kind of people are less social and unable to contact
with society which lead to lack of social support from community (Henderson, Chalesworth and
Martin, 2010). Social isolation are involved several risk factors which are as follows-
 Mental and physical isolation
 Changes in property's ownership
 Absence of support may cause enhancing stress level among the patient Financial harassment
Conflicts between family members-
It is the basic issue which arises the chances of getting abuse by patients.
Stress and lack of attention
Lack of attention and stress another major risk factor due to which anyone can get harm own self
or other. While any individual suffers from the high level of disease then it is very important for
family members and care worker to provide effective care and support through which they can
improve their health issues and stress.
Low self esteem
4

This is another risk factor through which anyone can not take their own decisions. The
aged person and disorder influenced person have no capability to take their decision on own
basis and they are generally dependent on the other person for their decision (Heginbotham,
2012). This kind of harm affect the confidence and capability of the individual.
TASK 2
3.1 Explanation about the existing working practices and strategies designed to minimise abuse
in health and social care context
In order to overcome the abuses and harms in the health and care organisation, management
have to design such practices and strategies through which these kinds of abuse can easily
overcome (Glasby, 2012). There are several criteria through which working practices and
strategies can designed in the health care setting. These strategies are discussed below-
 Encourage participation- In the context to improve the children and prevent them from
abuse and harm, it is great responsibility to professional and family to encourage them in
the participation so as they can discuss their issue with parent and health care experts.
Active participation helps in enhancing emotional capability of children.
 Anti discriminatory practices- In order to develop anti discriminatory working
environment, management of health care organisation should follow each and every
discrimination legislation which imposed by government (Emerson and et.al., 2012). As
per this act of equality and discrimination, doctor and staff member should behave
equally with all patient and provide equal facilities and treatment according to their
health issues.
 Safeguarding coordination- Health care experts have responsibility to monitor and
observe the health care services and practices in an effective manner. By observing and
monitoring the working., management can design an effective policies and practices. As
5

per the case scenario one, management of the health care setting should monitor the
working of workers who treat the patient.
3.2 Evaluation about the effectiveness of working practices and strategies used to minimise
abuse in health and social care contexts
In order to overcome the abuses and harms in the health and care organisation,
management have to design such practices and strategies through which these kinds of abuse can
easily overcome. As per the above discussion it has been ascertained that there are various ways
to design effective working practices, policies and strategies to minimise abuses in the health
and care context (Earls and Myers, 2010). With help of these ways, patients confidence level
and self esteem can build in effective manner. The advantage and effectiveness of these practices
are discussed below-
 As per this act of equality and discrimination, doctor and staff member should behave
equally with all patient and provide equal facilities and treatment according to their
health issues (Clark, 2011). With help of this anti discriminatory and equality legislation,
no one can discriminate with any patient in health and care organisation.
 By active participation of children in different activity., confidence level of children can
become improve in the community. With help of this working practices, they can discuss
their issue with parent and health care experts. Active participation helps in enhancing
emotional capability of children (Brand, 2012).
 Individual care helps to the patient in large manner because with help of these practices,
patient can recover from their past bad experiences.
3.3 Discussion about to improvement to working practices and strategies to minimise abuse in
health and care context
As per the above discussion, government have developed several kinds of the legislation and
practices in order to prevent to patient, children and community from the unethical harm, abuses
and negligence. In order to overcome abuses and negligence in effective manner, it is very
important for health experts and professional to improve their working criteria and make
necessary changes in the existing practices. Following are some recommendation for minimise
abuses and improve working practices-
6

 Government should develop such strict policies and legislation under which service giver
should punish if they do not follow the rules ,do not provide proper treatment and if they
are involved in unethical and illegal activity (Alhatmi, 2011).
 Helath care organisation management should organise effective training program for
health experts and workers so as they can acquire the skill, acknowledge and ability to
treat patient of mental disorder and other serious health problem.
 Government should focus on the individual health rather than focusing on the care home
and institutions. In addition to this, government should introduce high quality of
equipment to deliver effective care services to patient (Bernard, 2013).
TASK 3 Poster
1.3 Analysis of the influence of social and cultural component on various kinds of abuse and
harm to self and other
Social and cultural factor consists with social value, beliefs, attitudes, languages, cultural
value etc. These factors plays a very crucial role in the society and community. While any one
living in the community then it is very important to consider social and cultural factor because its
directly influence to the mind and living standard of individual. With assistance of these factor
human rights and premise can prevent and promote in the society. There are so many abuses like
mental, physical, sexual, alcohol. Due to the social and cultural differences, many of the people
get discriminated by the management. Thus, it can be said that due to the cultural and social
differences among people individual mental health can negatively influence in the society. Lack
of poverty, social exclusion etc can increase physical and physiological abuse in the community.
The impact of culture and social factor upon the kinds of abuse are discussed below-
 Emotional abuse- Social beliefs, attitude, values and culture may helps to individual
while they get emotionally hurt by family members and friends. Sometime disputes with
family and friends can hugely influence to the individual as they may get hurt
emotionally.
 Physical abuse- Physical abuses includes such kinds of activities like slaps, punching,
scratching etc. While anyone involves in the wrongful act and have relation with wrong
person then this kind of abuse may occur. In this situation, social and cultural factor may
7

positive impact upon that person who are physically abused. In addition to this, parent
and friends should teach and guide to children to not involve in the criminal activities
which is against to our ethics and value.
 Psychological abuse- Psychological abuse are that abuse under which individual get
verbal abuse and leaving by the person in their life. While anyone hurt in emotional
manner then it can be said that it is psychological abuse. With help of social factor
individual can understand the behaviour and nature of someone. This factor assists in
handling the patient in effective and efficient manner.
2.1 Analysis of the strength and weakness of current legislation and policies relating to abuse of
vulnerable people
In every country government have imposed several kinds of legislation and law regarding
health and care services as well as patient. Patient have some right to get proper treatment and
care from the health experts and care worker in the health and care organisation. The major
objective of this legislation and policies is to protect individual rights and precise from the
abuses and harmful activities in the society. There are some strength and weakness of the local
legislation and policies which are discussed below-
 The care standard act 2000- The major objective of this act is to take care of patient in
effective manner. With help of this legislation proper guidance of care should be follow
by health care experts in the health and care organisation. The strength of this act is that
it helps to patient in getting effective care services by health experts in the health and care
organisation. This focuses on the inspection of each care homes. However, due to lack of
finance, every health care organisation can not arrange high quality of treatment and care
facilities for patient.
 Mental capacity act 2005- This act assists to the patient who are not mentally sound
because with help of this act, patient have right to get effective treatment and care
services from the health experts in health and care organisation. As per this act, it is great
responsibility and duty of health experts to provide effective service and care to those
patients who are unable to take their own decision. The weakness of this legislation is
that it is not strictly followed by local health centres so that health care experts sometime
avoid this kind of mental disable patients.
8

 Children protection policy- With assistance of this legislation and policy, children can get
protection and security from several kinds of abuses in the society. The major strength of
this legislation is that it helps to children in preventing from abuses, harms and unethical
work in the community. However, these kinds of legislation do not strictly followed in
every country.
2.2 Explanation about professional involvement in protecting groups in the health and social
care
In the hospital, health experts and doctors plays a very crucial role because with help of them
patients can get effective treatment and care services according to their illness and health issue.
They have great roles and responsibility regarding to deliver care service to patient and improve
their health issue. In addition to this health professional can aid in overcome abuse in the society
by provide proper care treatment, guidance etc to suffered person. The range of professional are
discussed below-
 Health professional with staff- In hospitals there are nurses, lower staff, and supervisor.
They ensure that each suffered person gets effective care services from professional.
Further, they help to minimize the effect of such abuse and negligence.
 Social workers- This kind of professional are interpersonal workers and key professional
who fights for the justice and legal action taken against wrongdoer so as that particular
will not repeat this action in the future. This kind of professional and workers helps to the
community by preventing them from abuses and harm. Social worker in community acts
as negotiator and educator and supports them emotionally and makes them aware
regarding rights of the vulnerable adults.
 NSPCC- This kind of professional prevent to families and children from abuses and
sexual abuses. They are involved in the non profit social group who works for
community in order to provide effective care and treatement. While any abuses takes
place at the workplace then they fight and struggle for delivering safeguarding to patients.
9

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Acton, A. Q., 2013. Issues in Social, Ethnic, and Cultural Research. ScholarlyEditions.
Baker, R. W. and Baker, J. J., 2009. Health Care Finance. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Brand, D., 2012. Social and health care integration: (1) The individual dimension. Journal of
Integrated Care. 20(6). pp. 371–378.
Buchanan, J. and Carnwell, R., 2004. Effective Practice in Health and Social Care. McGraw-Hill
International.
Fisher, A., 2005. Health and Social Care. Oxford: Henemann.
Garcarz, W. and Wilcock, E., 2003. Statutory and Mandatory Training in Health and Social
Care: A Toolkit for Good Practice. Oxon, ox: Radcliffe Publishing.
Glasby, J., 2012. Understanding Health and Social Care. The Policy Press.
Greener, I., 2009. Healthcare in the UK: Understanding Continuity and Change. The Policy
Press.
Henderson, E, Chalesworth, J. and Martin, V., 2010. Managing in Health and Social
Care. Routledge.
Alhatmi, Y., 2011. Safety as a hospital organizational priority: a case study. Clinical
Governance: An International Journal. 16(3). pp.203 – 219.
Bernard, C., 2013. Achieving age equality in health and social care. Working with Older People.
17(1). pp. 19–24.
Brand, D., 2012. Social and health care integration: (1) The individual dimension. Journal of
Integrated Care. 20(6). pp. 371–378.
Clark, M., 2011. Mental health care clusters and payment by results: considerations for social
inclusion and recovery. Mental Health and Social Inclusion. 15(2). pp. 71–77.
Earls, J. and Myers, T., 2010. Fascial Release for Structural Balance. North Atlantic Books.
Emerson, E. and et.al., 2012. Improving health and lives: The Learning Disabilities Public
Health Observatory. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities. 6(1). pp.
26–32.
Glasby, J., 2012. Understanding Health and Social Care. The Policy Press.
10

Heginbotham, C., 2012. Values-Based Commissioning of Health and Social Care. Cambridge
University Press.
11