Comprehensive Report: Safeguarding and Protection of Vulnerable Adults

This report comprehensively addresses the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults. It begins by differentiating between safeguarding and protection, highlighting the impact of policy developments and outlining the legislative framework, including acts like the Mental Capacity Act and the Human Rights Act. The report further explores quality assurance, regulation, and inspection, using the case of Margaret Panting to illustrate their importance. It details protocols and referral procedures for suspected abuse, emphasizing the right to live free from violence and the role of community care services. The report then examines service provision, focusing on risk assessment, informed choices, and information dissemination, including indicators of abuse and preventive measures. It identifies relevant policies and procedures within a work setting, discusses monitoring implementation, and emphasizes the importance of feedback. Additionally, it covers working in partnerships with other organizations and evaluates the effectiveness of systems and procedures. Finally, the report considers the participation of vulnerable adults in system reviews and provides recommendations for improving systems and procedures to enhance the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.

SAFEGUARDING AND
PROTECTION OF
VULNERABLE ADULTS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO1..................................................................................................................................................3
1,1 Differences between the concept of safeguarding and concept of protection.......................3
1.2 Impact of policy developments on approaches to safeguarding vulnerable adults................3
1.3 Legislative framework for safeguarding vulnerable adults...................................................4
1.4 Influence of quality assurance, regulation and inspection.....................................................4
1.5 Protocols and referral procedures when harm of abuse is alleged or suspected....................5
LO2..................................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Service provision which supports vulnerable adults to assess risks and make informed
choices..........................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Information provision............................................................................................................6
2.3 Identification of the policies and procedures in own work setting that contributes towards
safeguarding and prevention of abuse..........................................................................................7
2.4 Monitoring of the implementation of policies and procedures..............................................7
2.5 Feedback provision to others on practice that supports the protection of vulnerable adults. 7
LO3..................................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Following agreed protocols for working in partnerships with other organisations ..............8
3.2 Effectiveness of systems and procedures for working in partnership with other
organisations................................................................................................................................8
LO4..................................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Participation of vulnerable adults in reviewing of systems and procedure...........................9
4.2 Effectiveness of systems and procedures ..............................................................................9
4.3 Ineffective practice in promotion of the safeguarding of vulnerable adults..........................9
4.4 Recommendations to improve systems and procedures in own service setting..................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10

REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
INTRODUCTION
Today, it has become important to provide appropriate safeguarding and protection to
vulnerable adults. Vulnerable adults or an adult at a risk refers to a person who is over the age of
18 and harms or lacks the absolute or most basic human life skills. The present report showcases
the differences between the concept of protection and concept of safeguarding. The report
explains the legislative framework for safeguarding vulnerable adults, and explains the referral
procedures and protocols when abuse or harm is alleged or suspected (Dehaghani, 2019). Along
with it, important policies are identified in the report and provides feedback on the practices
which support the protection of vulnerable adults.
LO1
1,1 Differences between the concept of safeguarding and concept of protection
As per the Children’s Act of 1989, safeguarding is most commonly applied to the children
and young people under the age of eighteen. In United Kingdom and Ireland, it is a term that is
used to denote measures in protecting an individual’s well-being, health and human rights. In
safeguarding the main focus in put on protecting these aspects of a vulnerable adult. A
vulnerable adult is someone who is over the age of eighteen and tends to be at risk of harm or
who lacks basic human life skills (Burrows, 2016). It is important for the government of the
social agencies to ensure that appropriate safeguarding is being done in order to provide better
growth and development to these people and ensure that they are not being harmed.
As compared to safeguarding, the protection of vulnerable adults refers to protecting the
vulnerable adults with dangers that can pose a threat to their life. As seen that the vulnerable
adults tend to lack basic human life skills, which makes it important for the government and the
legislation to ensure that these children are safe and secure. Under the activities of protection
proper care, undertaking and safety is ensured by the government to the individuals.
1.2 Impact of policy developments on approaches to safeguarding vulnerable adults
Policy developments or the policies which are used on approaches to safeguarding
vulnerable adults in a service setting tends to have a large impact where individual are being
safeguarded. It is because the policy developments often bring forth changes in policies, which
impact the present scenario under which safeguarding is being done. Also, policy developments

focus on the present needs of the individuals which needs to be safeguarded in general, and often
tends to lack their future fulfilments. This impacts the overall development of the individual and
the set growth. It is important to ensure that policy developments are being under appropriate
supervision from the experience people safeguarding the adults. This would ensure that proper
policies are being made (Phelan, Fealy and Downes, 2017). The policy development in
safeguarding is one of the most important requirements as well, because without appropriate
policies, it is not possible to ensure the proper safeguarding is being done. Often when right
policies are developed under close supervision the service setting receives positive results and
ensures the practices of safeguarding are operating as needed.
1.3 Legislative framework for safeguarding vulnerable adults
The government has provided required support to the service settings and officials which
to safeguard vulnerable adults. In order to ensure better support and care, the government has
seen to be passing required laws and legislation practices. These practices have supported
safeguarding and have ensured that appropriate growth and development is taking place within
the practices of safeguarding of vulnerable adults. These laws include:
 Mental Capacity Act, 2005
 Mental Health Act, 1983
 NHS Community Care Act, 1990
 Adult Support and Protection Act (Scotland), 2007
 Mental Health Bill, 2004
 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1986
This legislative framework or the laws have allowed services setting across the country to ensure
that appropriate safeguarding of the adults is being done. Most importantly, the legislative
framework of United Kingdom tends to keep changing as per the present needs and requirements
and the service setting and the needs of the vulnerable adults as well.
1.4 Influence of quality assurance, regulation and inspection
Cases such as of Margaret Panting (78 years old) who lived in housing scheme that was
sheltered in Sheffield showcases the failure of several services involved care of her. It is
important here to understand that such cases tend to impact the overall quality assurance which is
being provided to the invidual (Northway and Jenkins, 2017). Margaret Panting when received
services which were not appropriate and were lacking the basic provision directly reported is to

the higher authority. The government took strict measure on the service setting and ensured that
these scenarios does not takes place again.
For settings which are providing safeguarding services to vulnerable adults needs to ensure
that everything is working as per the legal systems and legislations. This can help the
government and the setting both to ensure best safeguarding. In case when cases such as of
Margaret Panting takes place, it tends to influence the regulation and inspection and overall
quality assurance of the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. The service setting needs to provide
appropriate practices to its individuals in order to ensure better safety and security of them and
most importantly to ensure that cases such as Margaret Panting does not take place.
1.5 Protocols and referral procedures when harm of abuse is alleged or suspected
As per The Human Right Act (1998), it is stated that each and every person is having the
right to live their lives free from violence and abuse. It is underpinned as a duty on agencies that
are public. It is the responsibility of ‘Safeguarding Adults’ to ensure that appropriate care-taking
of the individuals is taking place within the setting. They need to ensure that the individuals
which holds the risk of neglect or abuse, are being provided with an assessment of that risk. At
places when the individual faces a substantial or critical risk to their own wellbeing and
independence, the services of community care should be considered as a safeguarding plan part.
The other important protocol is to ensure that the individuals which are being safeguarded if face
any issues related to mental health, should be considered under the Mental Capacity Act, 2005.
This can ensure that appropriate growth is taking place of the individuals which are being
safeguarded and everything is working appropriately.
LO2
2.1 Service provision which supports vulnerable adults to assess risks and make informed
choices
It is important for safeguarding settings to provide appropriate care and support to the
individuals. As per the government policy statement on adults the safeguarding which is
published in May 2011, explores the vision of the government to improve the safeguarding
services of the vulnerable adults (Moore, 2016). It is primarily focused on the outcome-focused
practice and achieving a better local service provision. The principles which are set under this
benchmarking includes:
 Protection

 Empowerment
 Proportionality
 Accountability
 Partnership
 Prevention
In March 2011, The Health Department published guidelines titled Safeguarding Adults:
The Role of Health Services. The documents showcasing the guidelines have seen to providing
the best practices or principles in order to prevent and respond to abuse or neglect while being
focused on vulnerable adults even in the most vulnerable situations. It helps the service setting
and the government to ensure that appropriate practices of care is being ensured and proper
service is being ensured.
2.2 Information provision
 Indicators of Abuse
Below mentioned are the types of indicators of Abuse:
1. Financial Abuse which includes fraud, theft or misuses of money etc.
2. Physical Abuse which includes assault, slapping, hitting etc.
3. Psychological Abuse which includes ridicule, humiliation, verbal abuse etc.
 Measures needs to be taken to avoid abuse taking place
In order to ensure that abuse is being avoided or most importantly not taking place in any
condition, it is important to set required legislation and practices. Strict legislation practices often
tend to help the service setting providing safeguarding to avoid such condition where any sort or
abuse is taking place.
 Steps needs to be taken in the case of alleged or suspected abuse
It is important that appropriate steps are being taken in case of suspected or alleged abuse.
The first and the foremost step is to understand the situation from both sides and evaluate if the
action is considered abuse or not (Keeling, 2017). The second step is to if the action is
considered as abuse than take effective measures such as reporting to law. The final step is to set
guideline and policies to ensure that such abuse does not take place again.

2.3 Identification of the policies and procedures in own work setting that contributes towards
safeguarding and prevention of abuse
The policies and procedures that which contributes towards safeguarding and prevention of
abuse includes reporting of the allegations and suspicions within an hour when it took place.
Along with it, making record of the incident during the shift. This tends to ensure that the
allegation is being reported immediately to the higher authority and the authority is ready to take
required actions. The authority or the management as per the requirement of the situation makes
effective judgement as per the laws and legislations. This is done after the 8 hours of the incident
took place. As per the made judgement required actions are taken. After that, the management
tend to set new policies to ensure the situation does not occur again.
2.4 Monitoring of the implementation of policies and procedures
In order to monitor the implementation of the procedures and policies, it is important for
the service setting safeguarding adults to ensure that the people working within the setting are
following the set procedures and policies. The nurses and the employees hired to ensure
safeguarding are aware of the services, or if they are not, they need to be provided with proper
opportunities to be aware of them. The other aspect to monitor implementation, is by close
supervision. Appropriate supervision can ensure that everything is taking place appropriately in-
service care settings. In order to ensure better supervision, it is important for the management
working within the facilities hires appropriate individuals with the right skill set to supervise the
set activities (Leese and Russell, 2017). Along with it, staff training, staff DBS checks and
managing the risks associated with the practices of safeguarding adults as well as keeping
everything up to date can ensure better monitoring.
2.5 Feedback provision to others on practice that supports the protection of vulnerable adults
In order to ensure that the protection of vulnerable adults is taking place properly, the
service care setting or the individuals working within it can ensure that everything is being done
as per the set governmental policies and legislation. It is because following the laws can ensure
that proper safeguarding of adults is being done and none of the independent and unlawful
practices are taking place. Along with it, it is highly recommended to evaluate the basic needs
and requirements of the vulnerable adults and provide them with the required necessities. It is
going to keep them satisfied and will eliminate the chances of bad management. The supervisors
and managers need to closely maintain the records of the health situation of the adults. It will

help them to provide the adults with required medications and medical assistance as well. The
use of technology can be done to ensure that each and every member is safe in their premises and
they are regularly being provided with the basic necessities of food and shelter.
LO3
3.1 Following agreed protocols for working in partnerships with other organisations
It is important while working with other organisations to follow the agreed protocols.
These protocols include boundaries, under which both of the organisations which are involved in
the activities of safeguarding adults are having set boundaries. These boundaries ensure that the
organisations are working as per their particular set rules and guidelines without being affected
by each other’s rules and implications. This can enhance their cooperation and would allow them
to work better in achieving set goals (Mackay, 2017). The other important protocol is areas of
responsibility, the organisation can divide their responsibilities are as per their capabilities and
can ensure set growth and development. Information sharing is going to allow the organisations
to maintain better knowledge sharing and work effectively. The limits of authority can allow the
organisations to ensure that they are working under the set limits and legislations. Decision
making is another important protocol under which while working with other organisations, it is
important to ensure that set growth and development is taking place. Along with it, recording
information can ensure that the activities taking place are being tracked and everything is taking
place appropriately.
3.2 Effectiveness of systems and procedures for working in partnership with other organisations
It is important to have effective systems and procedures in place while working with other
organisations. It is because these systems can ensure that set growth and development is taking
place while providing services to the vulnerable adults. For example, when two organisations are
working together to serve the vulnerable adult and provide treatment to them. In case, if they do
not have effective systems to co-operate with each other, it can impact their service and would
later impact the vulnerable adults. It is same in the case of procedures, without having
appropriate procedures the organisations would find it difficult to coordinate with each other in
provision of services to the vulnerable adults (Williams, 2017). This makes it important to ensure
that appropriate systems such communication management, feedback taking, review monitoring
are in place. Along with it, appropriate policies and procedures are being followed in order
ensure set growth and development while working with other organisations.

LO4
4.1 Participation of vulnerable adults in reviewing of systems and procedure
It is important for vulnerable adults to participate in a review of systems and procedure. It
is because, the adults are one which are being provided with the services and they tend to know
more about how they feel about the present systems and procedures. The adults can help the
organisation which is providing them with useful services and treatment with valuable
information as how they should change their systems and procedures as per their particular needs
and requirements. It can help the organisation or the service setting to establish appropriate rules
and guidelines and ensure that set growth and development is taking place while providing safety
and security to them. It can help the organisations to properly produce such systems and
procedure which cannot just enhance their own service provision but the provision of other
organisations as well.
4.2 Effectiveness of systems and procedures
It is important for a service setting to ensure that effective systems and procedures are in
place to protect the vulnerable adults (Dehaghani, 2019). It is because appropriate systems and
procedures can help the service setting to effectively manage everything properly. The systems
help to manage the needs and requirement of the vulnerable individuals, monitor that they are
being provided with the appropriate things, and understand what could be done to serve them
better. Without having effective systems in place these activities cannot be ensured within the
service setting. Also, not having effective system in place the management would not be able to
track the activities of the individuals working within the setting. The procedures in a service
setting can ensure that everything is working as per the needs and requirements of set laws and
legislations. Also, they tend to make sure that everything is working according to set guidelines
and there are no pitfalls and growth issues. These activities can enhance the growth factor of the
service setting and importantly allows them to provide the best possible services to the
vulnerable adults. It is important for the organisation to ensure that appropriate systems and
services are in place in order to provide the adults with better practices. If the adults are being
provided with the best services, they are going to feel more secure and it would ensure their
safety as well.

4.3 Ineffective practice in promotion of the safeguarding of vulnerable adults
Ineffective practices can impact not just the promotion of safeguarding the vulnerable
adults but the overall reputation of the organisation or the service setting. For example, when an
individual or a vulnerable adult is provided with ineffective service or caretaking practice.
There’s a chance that the individual might going to report it to the authority or their family
members. This is going to create a bad word of mouth of the service setting and the overall
organisation and would be considered as ineffective practices. This is going to hamper the
promotional activities of the organisation and would lead to the failure in provision of services.
4.4 Recommendations to improve systems and procedures in own service setting
In order to improve systems and settings it is recommended to ensure that regular feedbacks
are being taken from the vulnerable adults. They should be asked if the provided services are
ensuring their proper safety and security and fulfilling their personal need as well (Stevens,
2015). Along with it, it is important to ensure that effective training is being provided to the
individuals working within the service setting. They can provide with cases which took place in
earlier times that impacted the safeguarding of vulnerable adult and should made to learn from
them. These measures can ensure that systems and procedures are being improved within the
service setting.
CONCLUSION
It is important to ensure the safety and security of vulnerable adults in the society. In order
to this, service setting tends to input numerous efforts and ensure that appropriate caretaking is
being done of the adults. As per the above evaluations, it has been seen that it is important to
ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to ensure better service provision.
The drawn conclusions showcase that the service setting needs to evaluate the needs and
requirements of the individuals which they are serving. This can ensure that they are being
provided with the best possible care and safeguarding.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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appropriate adult safeguard. Routledge.
Keeling, A., 2017. ‘Organizing objects’: adult safeguarding practice and article 16 of the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. International journal of
law and psychiatry. 53. pp.77-87.
Leese, M. and Russell, S., 2017. Mental health, vulnerability and risk in police custody. The
Journal of Adult Protection. 19(5). pp.274-283.
Mackay, K., 2017. The UK Policy Context for Safeguarding Adults: Rights-Based v Public
Protection? Safeguarding Adults: Key Themes and Issues. p.35.
Moore, S., 2016. Safeguarding vulnerable older people: a job for life? The Journal of Adult
Protection. 18(4). pp.214-228.
Northway, R. and Jenkins, R., 2017. Safeguarding adults in nursing practice. Learning Matters.
Phelan, A., Fealy, G. and Downes, C., 2017. Piloting the older adult financial exploitation
measure in adult safeguarding services. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics. 70. pp.148-
154.
Stevens, E.L., 2015. How does leadership contribute to safeguarding vulnerable adults within
healthcare organisations? A review of the literature. The Journal of Adult Protection.
17(4). pp.258-272.
Williams, J., 2017. Adult safeguarding in Wales: one step in the right direction. The Journal of
Adult Protection. 19(4). pp.175-186.