Outcomes following adult safeguarding alerts: a critical analysis of key factors

Rachel Fyson · Deborah Kitson

30 citations0/0 files storedThe Journal of Adult Protection

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Elder Abuse and Neglect Child Welfare and Adoption Social Work Education and Practice

Abstract

Purpose This paper seeks to report some of the findings from an evaluation of adult safeguarding in one English local authority. The evaluation was commissioned in the context of concern regarding the number of safeguarding investigations that resulted in inconclusive outcomes. Design/methodology/approach All adult social care teams in the local authority were asked to complete a short pro forma about the five most recent adult safeguarding alerts that they had managed to completion. Data collected included: characteristics of the alleged victim and alleged perpetrator; details of the professionals involved; whether or not a safeguarding plan meeting/case conference was held; and the outcome of any investigation. Respondents were also asked to comment on factors that they perceived to have helped or hindered the investigation. Findings Findings suggest that a significant number of variables influence the likelihood of cases resulting in a conclusive outcome. These variables included not only the characteristics of alleged victims, but also elements of safeguarding practice – including inter‐agency co‐operation, social workers' pre‐existing knowledge of the alleged victim, and the convening of safeguarding plan meetings. A failure to actively involve alleged victims in the safeguarding process was also noted. Research limitations/implications This is a relatively small sample from a single local authority. Originality/value This is the first study to provide qualitative evidence about the factors which influence the success or otherwise of adult safeguarding practice. The findings are likely to be of value to professionals working in adult safeguarding who are seeking to understand “what works” in managing investigations following safeguarding alerts.

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References

2007UK study of elder abuse and neglect of older people: Prevalance survey report 2010Child-Centric Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the Fragmentation of Child Welfare Practice in England 2007Independence or protection – does it have to be a choice? Reflections on the abuse of people with learning disabilities in Cornwall 2009Adult Protection 2008Voices from the frontline: social work practitioners' perceptions of multi‐agency working in adult protection in England and Wales 2013Building an Evidence Base for Adult Safeguarding? Problems with the Reliability and Validity of Adult Safeguarding Databases

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