Safeguarding older people
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should understand some of the challenges of adult safeguarding and the contextual complexities that can lead to abuse.
The terms 'vulnerability', 'abuse' and 'safeguarding' are not straightforward when working with adults. People who have the mental capacity to make decisions about their lives have the right to do so in law, even if those decisions seem unwise to others or put them at risk of harm. This means that for social workers, the line between protection and empowerment can feel a very fine one to tread.
In this example, taken from Ray and Phillips Social Work with Older People (2012), we meet Maisie, an older woman who is registered as blind. Her son is supposed to be managing her finances but there are concerns that he might be abusing his position of having access to her funds.
Reflective Questions
- What possible tensions could there be between Maisie's right to autonomy and independence and the duty to ensure the safety of vulnerable adults?
- How should the principles of good practice inform any assessment or investigation of possible abuse and intervention that you undertake with Maisie?
- What could be the benefits of interagency collaborative working in this case? What do you see as its challenges? What does social work, in particular, bring to safeguarding?