A pilot project: evaluating community nurses' knowledge and understanding of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
| Published date | 03 August 2012 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668201211256654 |
| Date | 03 August 2012 |
| Pages | 188-196 |
| Author | Martin Campbell,Dionne Chamberlin |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
A pilot project: evaluating community
nurses’ knowledge and understanding of
Martin Campbell and Dionne Chamberlin
Abstract
Purpose – This paper’s aim is to evaluate understanding and knowledge of the Adult Support and
Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 in a sample of community nurses working in learning disability services in
Scotland.
Design/methodology/approach – Ten community nurses who worked in learning disability services in
one NHS area were tested at two time points, four months apart using a questionnaire designed for this
study by researchers and practitioners. Level of previous national training in the Adult Support and
Protection Act and length of time working with people with learning disabilities were recorded. Three
domains of adult protection were included in the questionnaire: Principles of the Act and definitions;
Adults at risk of harm; Protection, assessment, removal and banning orders.
Findings – Questionnaire scores varied widely overall and across the three domains. There was no
correlationbetweenindividual scores and trainingor length of work experience.The level of knowledgewas
below what mighthave been expected for this group, given the levelof training and experience. Carefully
designedverification of the impact of nationally approvedadult support and protection trainingis needed.
Originality/value – There is an absence of research in evaluating the impact of the approved Scottish
Government training materials on staff knowledge and understanding of the 2007 Act, with staff
attendance being taken as the main measure of training compliance. This was a small scale pilot study
and recommendations are made for the scope and methods of evaluation.
Keywords Adult protection, Safeguarding, Evaluation of training, Nurses, United Kingdom, Social care,
Learning disabilities, Legislation
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 was introduced by the Scottish
Government to organise a more coordinated approach to supporting and protecting adults
who may be at risk of harm or neglect. Statutory, voluntary and private providers are obliged
to develop their own operating procedures to anticipate, prevent and respond to harm or
abuse. This legislation was partly in response to a long history of abuse and neglect of adults
with learning disabilities in managed care settings in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK
(Social Work Services Inspectorate and Mental Welfare Commission, 2005; Scottish Public
Services Ombudsman, 2010; Cornwall County Council, 2008; Flynn, 2007; Healthcare
Commission, 2007; Mencap, 2007; Department of Health (DoH), 2009).
There are some parallels here between the 2007 Act in Scotland and the Mental Capacity
Act (MCA) 2005 for England and Wales, which came into force in 2007; both were followed
with the formation of adult protection committees and the development of national
training initiatives, although in England and Wales, adult protection committees were already
in development following the introduction of policy guidance from 2000 onwards.
PAGE 188
j
THE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
j
VOL. 14 NO. 4 2012, pp. 188-196, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203 DOI 10.1108/14668201211256654
Martin Campbell is based in
the School of Psychology,
University of St Andrews, St
Andrews, UK.
Dionne Chamberlin is
based at Streets Ahead
Borders, Duns, UK.
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