The work of the PGO in protecting vulnerable people from financial abuse
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668203200300014 |
| Published date | 01 May 2003 |
| Date | 01 May 2003 |
| Pages | 21-25 |
| Author | Sophie Burns,John Bowman |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
Sophie Burns
Research Assistant, Salomons, Canterbury Christ
Church University College
John Bowman
Research Analyst, Public Guardianship Office
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The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 5 Issue 2 • May 2003 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Limited 21
key words
abstract
Public Guardianship Office
Court of Protection
financial abuse
This paper explains the role,
remit and mechanisms available to
the Public Guardianship Office in
relation to the administration of the
financial affairs of adults unable to
manage their affairs.A review of 51
cases suggests that in at least four
per cent of those abuse may have
occurred.
Background
The research outlined in this article was commissioned by the
Public Guardianship Office (PGO) to identify the risks and
explore the safeguards needed to prevent the deliberate
misappropriation of clients’ funds. It was carried out by Professor
Hilary Brown, Dr Barry Wilson and Sophie Burns at Salomons,
Canterbury Christ Church University College. The PGO
administers the affairs of approximately 20,000 clients under
receivership orders and also has about 60,000 clients registered
under Enduring Powers of Attorney. The PGO therefore is a
major stakeholder in the field of adult protection. This article
reports findings from a random selection of ‘ordinary’ cases that
were chosen at random from the PGO’s records.
Introduction
The PGO was established in April 2001 as an executive agency
within the Lord Chancellor’s Department. The PGO acts as the
administrative arm of the Court of Protection and undertakes the
mental health functions previously carried out by the Public Trust
Office (PTO).
Based in north London, the aim of the PGO is to promote the
financial and social wellbeing of persons unable to administer
their own financial affairs due to mental incapacity. This service is
provided in England and Wales. Similar but separate
arrangements exist in Scotland, which has its own Office of the
Public Guardian, while the Office of Care and Protection provides
coverage in Northern Ireland.
The PGO provides a service to its clients (that is, the person
The work of the PGO in
protecting vulnerable
people from financial abuse
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