A strengths-based approach and safeguarding adults – are they compatible?
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-12-2019-0039 |
| Pages | 87-92 |
| Published date | 13 February 2020 |
| Date | 13 February 2020 |
| Author | Pete Morgan |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Adult protection,Safeguarding,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Abuse |
A strengths-based approach and
safeguarding adults –are they
compatible?
Pete Morgan
Abstract
Purpose –This paperaims to stimulate discussion.
Design/methodology/approach –The paper is a personal reflectionand is not a research paper;there
is not thereforea design or methodology that was used in its writing.
Findings –While it may initially appear that a strength-based approach is incompatible with
safeguarding adults, it can be a valuablelong-term tool in supporting adults who have been abused or
self-neglected.
Research limitations/implications –The piece is a personal reflection and therefore not based on
research but it does highlight the need for further research to develop tools to facilitate the interface
betweensafeguarding and a strengths-basedapproach.
Practical implications –The need to recognise when a strengths-based approach is and is not
appropriatein safeguarding adults.
Originality/value –The author is not aware of a similar consideration of the interface between
safeguardingadults practice and a strengths-basedapproach.
Keywords Practice, Safeguarding adults, Care act 2014, Philosophical basis, Soft and hard strengths,
Strenghts-based approach
Paper type Practice paper
Earlier in the summer, I was asked to speak on the above subject at a conference on
a strengths-based approach to social work. I had some reservations about
accepting the invitation because of my lack of understanding of what exactly a
strengths-based approach is –more than a little embarrassing for a registered social
worker! This paper is based on the reading I did to prepare my presentation,
complemented by the presentations I heard at the conference on what a strengths-based
approach is and how it can be used in social work with adults. However, the views
expressed in this paper are mine alone.
My interest and commitment to safeguarding adults began in the mid-1990s, when I
was the Team Manager in a Care Management and Assessment Team, established to
implement the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. The Team
included a Community Team supporting all service user groups, a Hospital Team and a
Mental Health Resource Centre, the latter supporting adults with enduring mental
health issues. I became aware that, with the exception of the social workers in the
Mental Health Resource Centre, the normal social work activities were being lost under
the pressure of completing assessments to support the implementation of care
packages, with cases being rapidly closed until the care packages were due to be
reviewed. This is not to fail to acknowledge or disregard the positive aspects of care
Pete Morgan is based at
the P Morgan Consultancy
Services, Daventry, UK.
Received 12 December 2019
Revised 7 January 2020
Accepted 7 January 2020
DOI 10.1108/JAP-12-2019-0039 VOL. 22 NO. 2 2020, pp. 87-92, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203 jTHE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION jPAGE 87
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