A review of factors which potentially influence decisions in adult safeguarding investigations
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-03-2014-0008 |
| Pages | 51-61 |
| Published date | 09 February 2015 |
| Date | 09 February 2015 |
| Author | Patricia Trainor |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Adult protection |
A review of factors which potentially
influence decisions in adult safeguarding
investigations
Patricia Trainor
Patricia Trainor is the Head of
Adult Safeguarding, based at
Southern Health & Social Care
Trust, Newry, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at safeguarding documentation in relation to 50 adult
safeguarding files for the period April 2010 to March 2011. This was followed up with semi-structured
interviews with a small number of Designated Officers whose role it is to screen referrals and coordinate
investigations. F indings from the rese arch were used to redesi gn regional adult saf eguarding
documentation to ensure Designated Officers have access to the information necessary to assist them in
reaching decisions. Designated and Investigating Officer training was also updated to reflect learning from
the research thereby reducing the potential for variation in practice.
Design/methodology/approach – A file tool was developed which examined the recorded information
in safeguarding documentation contained within 50 service user files. The review tool looked at the
personal characteristics of the vulnerable adult, the nature of the alleged abuse and the decisions/outcomes
reached by staff acting as safeguarding Designated Officers. A semi-structured interview schedule asked
Designated Offices to comment on the training and understanding of the process as well as the factors
they believed were central to the decision making process. Their responses were compared to data
obtained from the file review.
Findings – A key finding in the research was that while factors such as type of abuse, the vulnerable adults’
consent to cooperate with proceedings, identity of the referrer,etc. did influence decisions taken there was
a lack of clarity on the part of Designated Officers in relation to their roles and responsibilities and of
the process to be followed.
Research limitations/implications – The research was limited to one Health & Social Care Trustarea and
had a small sample size (n ¼50).
Practical implications – The findings of the research led to a revamping of existing safeguarding
documentation which had failed to keep pace with developments and was no longer fit for purpose. Adult
safeguarding training courses within the Trust were redesigned to bring greater focus to the role and
responsibilities of designated and Investigating Officers and the stages in the safeguarding process.
Adult Safeguarding leads were established within programmes of care and professional support
mechanisms put in place for staff engaged in this area of work.
Social implications – Better trained and supported staff alongside more efficient safeguarding systems
should lead to better outcomes in the protection of vulnerable people from abuse and harm.
Originality/value – The research built on existing albeit limited research into what potentially influences
staff involved in critical decision-making processes within adult safeguarding.
Keywords Mental health, Older people, Learning/intellectual disabilities, Training, Adult safeguarding,
Thresholds
Paper type Research paper
The study was conducted in compliance with the Research Governance Framework for
Health and Social Care and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and in accordance with approvals
from relevant groups, e.g. the Southern HSC Trust Research Governance Committee
which also monitored and audited by the Southern HSC Trust Research Governance
The author would like to take this
opportunity to thank those people
instrumental in helping me to
undertake this research particularly
those Designated Officers who
were enthusiastic, cooperative and
open in sharing their experiences
and their views. The author would
also like to thank the Southern
Health & Social Care Trust for
facilitating me in this work and for
granting permission for its
publication.
DOI 10.1108/JAP-03-2014-0008 VOL. 17 NO. 1 2015, pp. 51-61, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203
j
THE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
j
PAGE 51
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