Essay on Vulnerable Persons: Abuse, Safeguarding, and Legislation

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of vulnerable persons, focusing on the various forms of abuse they face, including physical, emotional, financial, and neglect. It delves into the types of vulnerable groups, such as those with learning disabilities, the elderly, and those facing financial hardship, and discusses the impact of abuse on individuals and society. The essay examines relevant safeguarding legislation, policies, and guidelines designed to protect vulnerable individuals, using case studies like the Mid Staffordshire Hospital scandal and cases of financial abuse to illustrate the consequences of inadequate care and the importance of effective safeguarding practices. It evaluates the effectiveness of social care practitioners and their services in empowering vulnerable individuals and preventing further harm, emphasizing the need for awareness, support, and proactive measures to ensure their safety and well-being. The essay highlights the significance of recognizing and addressing vulnerability across different societal contexts, promoting resilience, and fostering a supportive environment for vulnerable populations.

VULNERABLE
PERSONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Concept of Vulnerability and Types of Groups.....................................................................1
Different forms of abuse and its impact upon vulnerable persons, groups and society.........3
Safeguarding legislation, policies and guidelines..................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Vulnerable individuals are the person who requires special attention from care service
providers because the people are unable to make decision for their own. However, it is duty of
family and acre providers to protect interest of vulnerable from serious exploitation which can
hamper their peace of mind. The essay will outline abuse in Mid Staffordshire Hospitals which
occurred to these disabled individuals. Apart from this it will evaluate the concept and relevant
safeguarding legislation, guidelines and polices which are enforced to protect these people from
hazardous practices of society. Thus, it will evaluate guidelines and regulations which can-be
implemented in Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation
Trust Hospital to protect interest of disabled.
MAIN BODY
Concept of Vulnerability and Types of Groups
Vulnerability is the situation where the person is unable to analyse, learn, remember,
understand the situation. It is a state of mind in which the person becomes emotionally and
physically weak due to which the individuals are unable top process and reason anything. In
accordance to situation of vulnerable individuals it is important for the society to ensure proper
care and f safe practices around them (Riveros-Iregui Moser and Emanuel, 2017). Understanding
their disability is the practices which can assist society in motivating person and in developing
sense of understanding among these individuals. Further, providing support is common needs of
disabled because the individuals suffers from communication difficulties due to which people are
unable to share their problem. In addition, it can be said that exploitation and restriction from
society makes these individuals isolated and aggressive. Thus, it can be said vulnerable person
are the those individual of society who are unable to take care of themselves alone with regard to
societal restitution, exploitation and basic living needs. There are various legislation and
guidelines enforced by government to protect the interest vulnerable individuals. These group in
society are marginalised by society ad considered as oppressed group because the voice of these
people are suppressed (Safeguarding adults: Types and indicators of abuse, 2018). In
accordance, it can be stated that vulnerability is the disorder in person which can occur due to
nay circumstance such as, financial conditions, environmental factors, up bringing, societal
restriction etc. As per vulnerable individuals in society, it is important for the social care
providers to identify group of people suffering from different disability like there are people who
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suffers form learning disability where the individuals are unable to understand the right and
wrong of the situation. Further, there are people who understand the situation but are unable to
make decision to make things right. Similarly, there is group of people who understand situation
and due to acceptance the individuals isolates themselves from society (Ferguson and Olson,
2014). The aggressive group f society is also considered as vulnerable because when the person
the gets angry, the people loses their ability to understand and cope up with situation and end up
harming themselves and or some other person.
Vulnerability can be described as weakened capacity of any person , group, to escape
from that effect of that hazard. This is a dynamic and relational concept. It occurs with the
people who are poor and who's condition is financially very low. When people feel insecure and
unarmed and are in stress or in shock, there also vulnerability occurs. People from various
groups , gender, age and other factors differ in vulnerability. For. e.g poverty occurred due to
earthquake may lead to huge sufferings. Vulnerability can be classified on the basis of physical,
social, economic , and political factors and this decides their capacity of resistance. Vulnerability
caused by disastrous peril can attain some gain. Similarly communities, households,
governments, decrease risk of disasters(Bracken-Roche D. Bell E. Macdonald M.E. and Racine
E. 2017). It includes the concept of resilience which can be hard or can be soft. Hard resilience
means there is pressure on the institutions of direct strength. In this context resilience is treated
as the simply opposite of delicacy. Whereas soft resilience are the groups which have the
capacity to come over vulnerability. Vulnerability can be referred as the unfitness to overcome
the bitter environment. In this the defensive measures gets lower down or lacked on time. Social
and environmental vulnerability refers to the age groups which involves assets and risks of
underprivileged group. This group are of elderly people. The expectations arrive with social
policies and other planning. Social vulnerability includes many shockers, stressors, abusers and
also natural hazards. It is the inability of the societies, organizations, to take a stand from
aggregate stressors to which they are uncovered. It is assessed very badly due to many reasons.
Due to the deficiency of experimental data hazardous events occurs. Due to ecological and
environmental dimension and institutional or political dimensions, due to socio-economic
dimensions, it is difficult to assess. It withstands depending on research orientation and aspects
showing different lines. Different groups involved in vulnerability are women, children, national
minorities, HIV positives, disabled persons and elderly persons. These groups are vulnerable and
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suffer a lot during disaster period. They suffer from many diseases and take the burden of these
diseases during disaster period. Homelessness and malnutrition are some results which comes
under vulnerability. Vulnerable groups can be defines as a group which faces environmental or
natural disaster, economic hardship and race with other groups economically , any sector which
are higher in risk at the time of crisis or conflicts that occurs nationwide. At number of points
groups attains vulnerability which includes disability, unavailability of resources, diseases and
other personal and environmental situations (Proag V. 2014). Vulnerability groups can be
described as the groups which are at higher risks. The deficiency of public awareness and
information, poor construction of structure, limited readiness measures and acknowledgement of
risks are some factors of vulnerability.
Different forms of abuse and its impact upon vulnerable persons, groups and society
There are various types of abuses faced by vulnerable persons like, physical abuse,
domestic violence, emotional abuse, financial and material abuse. Further it comprises,
negligence, isolation, discrimination, modern slavery and abuse at workplace. The route is
further segregated into different type like in physical torture vulnerable individual faces
punishments, scalding, burning, rough handling etc. Every abuse has its own indicators therefore
it is important keep individual in care setting in order to protect interest of disabled individual.
The case in Bracknell Forest Council which outlined the scenario of woman who lived alone and
has visibility problem and therefore needed someone to support her in homely activities. The
name of woman was Joyce and she was 55 year old woman and she was facing problem with her
neighbour who used to ask her for money and she was unable to refuse. Further, with increasing
financial abuse she reported to social care practitioner where she provided detailed information
about the financial abuse from past several years. The manager of social care setting had critical
discussion with Joyce on situation which comprised solution by manager such as informing
policing, asking helps from society (Making Safeguarding Personal: Case Studies, 2014). The
manager suggested solution because the care providers can not take action in account to this until
the case is of public interest. However, with discussion Joyce was convinced to share issue with
neighbours. The discussion was Joyce with neighbours went offensive as the society started
blaming her for lending money from the starts. This situation impacted confidence and self
esteem of Joyce and when she was asked about her experience with member of safeguarding her
interest, she said she was anxious at the time of meeting manager practitioner but still she felt
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empowered after creating awareness among society about unethical financial abuse practice of
her neighbour. Apparently, as per the case it can be said that the social care practitioners and
their services are effectiveness because the individual do not aim at make people conscious about
their disabilities instead the providers are focused on empowering people in order to make them
realize their own power and self worth.
As per case of Mid Staffordshire Hospitals, it has been analysed that ion 2008 hundred
patients died needlessly in hospital due to lack of care services and staff failings. The study
outlines various cases of negligence of care services like Peter Burnhill 84 year old man, who
was suffering from leukaemia and was presented in hospital from breathing problem but care
providers left him in corridor on trolley for six hours. His wife kept chasing nurses to treat him
and to admit him but practitioner ignored and when he got admitted he was recorded for lo
oxygen level. However, due to negligence in hospital the individual died few weeks later after
returning home. As per his wife statement it was analysed that due to negligence of hospital and
care provides Peter retuned home weak and with shaking in body (Heacock, Kelly and Kamel,
2016). Thus, there are various scandal of negligence of service providers which resulted in death
of vulnerable patients. Apart from Stafford Hospital: The victims of the hospital scandal, 2013,
has outlined that case of Susi 55 year old woman who lived in shared house with less support.
She is a widow and divorcee and married twice She was suffering from moderate learning
disability and she was facing difficulty in relationship where she used to experience sexual
abuse. It can be said that she is vulnerable to changes as she grew up in dysfunctional society.
However, the sexual abuse and violences in her relationship was unethical because it was
unwanted and she was unable to protect herself. It has been discovered that Susi reported
policing against abuse and violence but no action was taken into consideration. She tried every
possible change which can safeguard her against unethical practices. She engaged and seek
helped from various agencies such as Support agency, Psychology, Legal, Speech and Language
Therapy (Making Safeguarding Personal: Case Studies, 2014). Further, she asked support from
Sexual Health Clinic, Police, community Nurse and also social workers. Thus, the professional
working with woman has outlined various outcomes like, preventing Susi from sexual abuse is
foremost priority, providing 24*7 care staff facilities in order to safeguard her interest and
providing residential care to protect her. Apparently, safeguarding meeting of Susi were effective
and therefore divided into two parts were discussion with legal representative over her condition
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made her conscious due to her language and understanding disability. The session with Susi
helped her in identifying she is the only person who is responsible for won safety and therefore it
is important for her to start afresh with life with clear understanding of life and ethical measures
to boost her living standards. On the other hand as per Mid Staffordshire Trust inquiry: how the
care scandal unfolded, 2018, study in period of 18 months one family lost four members due to
failings in hospital setting like there are new born baby girl but health practitioner fails to
manage her medication due to which she died. Further there are numerous patient who die to
because of restlessness and unbearable pain. In addition, the report suggest that, £13 million
review of what went wrong will suggest hospitals that cover up mistakes by doctors and poor
treatment of patients in order to maintain effective patient care and safety.
Thus, as per the study over cases, it can be said that thee are numerous cases of
negligence of vulnerable person and it is important for the society to support growth and
development of people by effectively including them in activities. Negligence is the cause due to
which the person restricts themselves from discussion which leads to disruption of their own life
(Safe guarding Adults, 2017). In addition, social care practitioners are the individual who are
responsible for safe care practices for vulnerable person in order to safeguard their interest of
living in society, social care setting, residential care, hospital etc. There are various types of
vulnerable person which faces various types of situation like assaults, treats, intimidation,
humiliation, exploitation of money personal resources, etc. The sufferings of person impacts
their resistance to life and there some of them die, few people isolates themselves. Further there
are people who become aggressive to inclusion with society (Peek, 2017). The changes in
vulnerable personality can be dangerous for society and people around them, therefore it is
important for the social care setting health care organisation and residential care professional to
safe guard interest of every person in case of any situation.
Safeguarding legislation, policies and guidelines
In accordance to increasing scandal in Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation
Trust Hospital due to lack of patient care and safety, it is important for the trust to establishing
appropriate guidelines' and measures in order to protect interest of vulnerable people in
organisation, who are unable to make decision for their own self. There are numerous
governmental regulation which are focused on safeguarding interest of disabled in hospital,
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social care and residential setting such as Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 was
enforced by government to protect risk of harm to children and adults against nay situation (Key
legislation - Legislation protecting vulnerable people from abuse, 2013). This act is based on
avoiding harm like no matter what the situation is the health care providers are liable to diliever
ethical patient care. It is responsibility of individual to protect vulnerable from risky situation.
Further, forcing them to indulge in certain situation is protected under this act. It protects people
from offences of brings practices and staff in hospital. It is the situation which aims
safeguarding treatment of people who are willingly neglected by heath care practitioners like the
person suffering mental disorder and who are unable to take decision for themselves (McKinney
and Marconi, 2016). Further, there is The care Act 2014 which is enforced by government to
promote well being of society and disabled individuals. Under this act Well-being comprise
personal dignity of people in which it is important for society and acre providers to treat every
person with respect and dignity. In addition, it focuses on mental health and emotion well-being
of vulnerable people. The individual are emotionally weak and have low tolerance to
surroundings. Therefore, this act ensures mental stability of vulnerable person. Moreover, the
care act focuses on protecting people from negligence and abuse in which the focus of
practitioner is to pan inclusion plan in order to minimize the errors of social restriction.
Apparently, there are Sexual offences Act 2003, which aims at protecting people who
suffers from sexual abuse due to mental disorder (Safe guarding Adults, 2017). It is an unwanted
activity and according to society the individual can gathered disabled people because the
individual are the not in condition to make valid decision for themselves. However, this act is
enforced by government to safeguard interested of mentally disable person against care workers.
Furthermore, there is Public interest Disclosure Act 1998, which aims at promoting dignity at
workplace. This act sets parameters for employment rights. The person or organisation found not
complying with the practices of Act can be punished anything by law. It focuses in criminal
offences, failing to legal obligation, miscarriage of justice, health and safety of people, etc.
Apparently, there are many other acts which aims at protecting interest of vulnerable people like
Equality Act 2010, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983, Human rights Act etc.
Nevertheless, Safeguarding policies for vulnerable are focused on reducing harmful
practices in care homes for children and adults. IN policies the organisation ensures that
individual below 18 are protected from harassment, negligence, abuse and exploitation. This
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policy adheres to all fundamental rights which are set under UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child of 1989. Further, the policies focuses on analysing group of vulnerable people who are
unable to make decision for their own due to lack of understanding over protecting, safety and
care. Polices ensures equal right to protection from exploitation and abuse. It is important for the
social care providers to eliminate inequalities between different vulnerable group of people.
Similarly, the guidelines to setting for management of vulnerable people are, prioritise the safety
and well-being of disabled against any situation which exploits the safety living rights of person.
Further, the guidelines are focused on implementing safe practices in care centre where every
staff person is aware about his or her own responsibilities. Distribution of roles and
responsibilities according to individual capability to handle vulnerable person plays a critical role
in management safety and care practices of children and adults. In addition, taking appropriate
action tos safety practices is the ensures which helps in maintaining ethicality of care functions
(Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy, 2018). The core responsibility of social
worker comprise combination of legislation, polices and guidelines hand in hand. Hence, it can
be said that its is import for the social group to identity specific need of vulnerable person when
dealing with the disable person. Like focusing disabled person to indulge in certain situation is
the plan which can reverse back and can hamper safety practices of staff against person.
CONCLUSION
The report summarized about vulnerable person who are the individual who faces
difficulty in coping up with institution. The individuals require support form residential care or
social acre setting because the person are not capable of making decision for own self. The report
evaluated the concept of vulnerable person and different groups of vulnerable people. Also, it
outlined various case studies of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation
Trust Hospital and societal care setting which derives different types of situation which occurs
with vulnerable group of people. The case studies helped in developing critical understanding
over different situations which occurs with this group of society Thus, the report concluded with
legislation like, Sexual offences Act 2003, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 etc. which
are enforced by government to safeguard interest of people against wrong doing in social care
setting, hospitals and society.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bracken-Roche, D., Bell, E., Macdonald, M.E. and Racine, E., 2017. The concept of
‘vulnerability’in research ethics: an in-depth analysis of policies and guidelines. Health
research policy and systems, 15(1), p.8.
Proag, V., 2014. The concept of vulnerability and resilience. Procedia Economics and
Finance, 18, pp.369-376.
McKinney, M.M. and Marconi, K.M., 2016. Delivering HIV Services to Vulnerable
Populations: A Review of CARE Act—Funded Research. Public Health Reports.
Peek, M.E., 2017. Can mHealth Interventions Reduce Health Disparities among Vulnerable
Populations?. Diversity & Equality in Health and Care, 14(2).
Heacock, M., Kelly, C. B. and Kamel, M., 2016. E-waste and harm to vulnerable populations: a
growing global problem. Environmental health perspectives, 124(5), p.550.
Riveros-Iregui, D. A., Moser, H. A. and Emanuel, R. E., 2017. December. Impacts of Extreme
Flooding on Hydrologic Connectivity and Water Quality in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and
Implications for Vulnerable Populations. In AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts.
Ferguson, C. J. and Olson, C. K., 2014. Video game violence use among “vulnerable”
populations: The impact of violent games on delinquency and bullying among children
with clinically elevated depression or attention deficit symptoms. Journal of youth and
adolescence, 43(1), pp.127-136.
Online
Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/policies-procedures/children-and-vulnerable-adults-
safeguarding-policy>.
Key legislation - Legislation protecting vulnerable people from abuse. 2013. [Online]. Available
through:
<https://www.scie.org.uk/publications/guides/guide15/legislation/otherlegislation/
vulnerablepeoplelegislation.asp>.
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Mid Staffordshire Trust inquiry: how the care scandal unfolded. 2018. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9851763/Mid-Staffordshire-
Trust-inquiry-how-the-care-scandal-unfolded.html>.
Stafford Hospital: The victims of the hospital scandal. 2013. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-21339330>.
Making Safeguarding Personal: Case Studies. 2014. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.adass.org.uk/media/5147/making-safeguarding-personal-2013-2014-case-
studies.pdf>.
Safe guarding Adults. 2017. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2017/02/adult-pocket-guide.pdf>.
Safeguarding adults: Types and indicators of abuse. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.scie.org.uk/publications/ataglance/69-adults-safeguarding-types-and-
indicators-of-abuse.asp>.
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