Could planning for safety be a realistic alternative to risk management for those deemed vulnerable?

Pages6-18
Published date21 February 2011
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5042/jap.2011.0066
Date21 February 2011
AuthorFiona Parley
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Sociology
6 © Pier Professional Ltd The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 13 Issue 1 • February 2011
10.5042/jap.2011.0066
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Policy and practice paper
Introduction
Drawing on the findings of a research study (Parley, 2007)
into care staff views of vulnerability and abuse within learning
disability, safety planning is offered as an alternative, more
positive approach to risk management when considering
adult protection. This approach is person-centred while risk
management is often, though not always, professionally or
organisationally inclined.
One of the reasons behind this study was that it was felt
that there was no clear understanding of the terms vulnerability
and abuse within learning disability services. The lack of
understanding transcended the professional or service view and
at times was contrary to the views of those it was intended to
protect. Without a clear and commonly accepted view of the
issue, it was felt that the development and implementation
of adult protection policies or legislation would be fraught
with difficulty. Risk management should not undermine the
individual’s right to self-determination, but should support them
in the realisation of hopes, dreams and aspirations.
Pertinent literature
The study reported in this paper was concerned with adult
protection for those who have learning disabilities (Parley,
2007). In recent years, policy has been developed for the
protection of vulnerable people (Department of Health, 2004;
Scottish Parliament, 2007; Home Office, 2010). Yet, each
policy uses its own language and is based on particular service-
oriented views of vulnerability and abuse; hence it may not
Could planning for safety
be a realistic alternative to
risk management for those
deemed vulnerable? Fiona Parley
Clinical Governance Co-ordinator,
Royal Cornhill Hospital, NHS Grampian,UK
key words
Adult protection, authority, duty
of care, power, risk management,
safety
abstract
Protection of those deemed
vulnerable has received increasing
attention since 2000. This article
reports this aspect of a research
study in which care staff views
relating to vulnerability and abuse of
adults with learning disabilities were
explored. In this study, informants’
perspectives were explored using
semi-structured interviews. The
aim of the study was to conduct a
detailed analysis of interpretations
of the terms vulnerability and abuse
within learning disability services.
The results revealed that most
informants felt that all people with
learning disabilities are vulnerable and
that this definition allows staff the
authority to take protective measures
in order to ensure their safety, based
on risk management approaches. An
alternative person-centred approach to
safety planning is proposed.

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