Looks at danger, harm and abuse in safeguarding. How to spot the signs and how to appropriately deal with it accordingly. For further info on safeguarding such as serious case reviews looking in depth at Victora Climbe case or a look at safeguarding procedures look at my page under “protection”!
Safeguarding is a term used in the United Kingdom and Northern Island it is commonly used in
reference to venerable individuals and the precautions in place to protect them. For example, (SCIE
2020) says it is “protecting and individuals right to live in safety, free from abuse, neglect and
mistreatment.” Essentially safeguarding are the actions that are taken to prevent and protect
venerable people. This is essential in any health and social care setting to ensure that all
individuals adult or children are treated correctly and safe from harm. An example of safeguarding
in health and social care may be protecting an individual from unjust care. There are different
policies and procedures for adult safeguarding and children's safeguarding but the goal of both is
the same.
Adult safeguarding
Adult safeguarding is also important as well as children's, it protects vulnerable adults from harm
or abuse. Examples of vulnerable adults are those with dementia, learning disabilities, mental
illness and anyone incapable of caring for themselves. The (SSAB 2017) says the aims of adult
safeguarding are:
“Prevent harm and reduce risk of abuse and neglect.
Stop abuse and neglect where possible
To encourage and support adults in having control of the choices in their lives.
Raise awareness
Provide information
Support families
Address the causes of abuse/neglect.”
Safeguarding is enforced by various legislation which clearly outline the expectations of
adult safeguarding. For example, these include The Care Act (2014), Health And Social
Care Act (2012) and The Mental Capacity Act (2005). These all contain acts that promote
and enforce the fair and safe care of vulnerable adults as well as setting the expectations
for those who work with vulnerable adults. These pieces of legislation are to be complied
with constantly and workplace policies and procedures must also comply with them.
Children’s Safeguarding
A child is anyone under the age of 18 and all adults have a responsibility to keep them safe
regardless of their profession. Abuse/maltreatment towards a child can come from many people
whether this a parent/carer or family member or friend and it can come in many forms.
Safeguarding of children is to protect them from abuse, neglect and any other forms of
maltreatment, it is also to prevent harm to health, development and unsafe or ineffective care.
Safeguarding for children can come from different places. Some examples of these are social
services, school/nursery and doctors or hospitals.
There is also relevant legislation to support children's safeguarding an example of this is The
Rights of a Child (1989) this legislation clearly outlines the rights a child has in life. For example, a
few of the rights according to( Nindirect):
“The right to life.”
“The right to development.”
“The right to play.”
“Freedom of opinion and expression.”
“Free from abuse/neglect.”
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If any of the legislation is not being followed it is a children’s safeguarding issue and needs to be
addressed accordingly. Services working closely with children need to make sure that their policies
and procedure comply with this legislation and all others relevant to children’s rights. They also
need to include this in their safeguarding policies and procedures.
Signs, symptoms and indicators of abuse
There are many different forms of abuse that an individual may be experiencing, safeguarding
aims to stop and prevent this abuse from happening. A way of ensuring this is by being aware what
all the signs, symptoms and indicators are in relation to each form of abuse and then taking action.
Neglect is essentially refusing an individual their basic human rights for example (SCIE 2020) says
it is “failure to provide food, shelter, clothing, heating, stimulation and activity, personal or medical
care.” These are all basic human rights that are outlined in the acts of The Human Rights Act and
to deny them is not only unlawful but inhumane and safeguarding protocol should be implemented
if this is happening. Neglect can also be many other things such as isolating an individual, not
ensuring privacy and denying freedom of speech.
It is important to recognise indicators of neglect to be able to prevent it and also to safeguard
those experiencing it. The key indicators/ signs of neglect are:
Poor Environment
Dirty/ Unhygienic
Malnutrition
Untreated medical issues
Inadequate clothing
Lack of or no contact with medical or social care organisations
Self-Neglect:
Self-Neglect is putting yourself at risk by not taking proper care of yourself whether this is through
being unwilling or unable. This may be by not washing, dressing, eating properly etc or by an
individual denying their selves the medical or social care they need, again because there unwilling
or unable. This could also be an indicator of an underlying issue such as mental health.
It is important to be able to give individuals the help they need if they are neglecting themselves,
there for it’s important to be aware of indicators. Some of the key indicators of self-neglect are:
Not in touch with health and social services
Poor or no personal hygiene
Not in the correct environment eg: housing, heating etc
Neglecting household chores such as washing clothes
Isolation
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