00:00Hello and welcome back to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults training course.
00:08During this lesson we will look at why some vulnerable adults are exposed to instances
00:15of abuse and neglect. For most people this seems to be an inconceivable and inexcusable
00:23way to treat people in need of care. Still, we'll explore how these circumstances can
00:31arise and the symptoms that can indicate a suspected case.
00:37First, we must understand what abuse or neglect means.
00:46According to Common English Dictionary definitions, the word Safeguard means simply to protect
00:54something and also to protect someone from harm, damage or personal loss. In terms of community
01:04care and social services in this country, the word has become the general term used to describe
01:13significant measures that are taken to ensure the upkeep of the health, wellbeing and human
01:22rights of vulnerable individuals.
01:26We will discuss existing legislations in more detail in a later lesson. Still, for guidance,
01:33the UK has the Care Act 2014 in place to provide a legal framework for protecting vulnerable adults
01:42adults, which assists local authorities in understanding their duties in this area.
01:49There are six primary principles in the Act.
01:55Protection. React appropriately when abuse is reported or suspected.
02:02Empowerment. Encourage people to make their own decisions.
02:09Accountability. Make all safeguarding roles and responsibilities clear.
02:16Prevention. Stop abuse by raising awareness.
02:22Proportionality. Assess any risks and situations reasonably.
02:28Partnerships. Work with other professionals and organisations to manage risks.
02:36It is important to remember that each of these principles is highlighted to not only provide protection
02:44for vulnerable adults, but also to respect their human rights and allow them to choose how they are supported.
02:54Forms of safeguarding should never descend to cases of a person being isolated unwillingly or having decisions
03:04constantly made for them as it will then become a form of abuse in its own right.
03:13There are various ways in which a vulnerable adult can be exploited or abused.
03:17The most common examples of this include human trafficking.
03:24Individuals are recruited and transported to national or international locations where they are exploited for cheap labour and regarded as
03:38disposable resources.
03:42Domestic abuse.
03:43Domestic abuse. Individuals are subjected to continual physical abuse or threats to their well-being by a person known to
03:51them.
03:52This is often a family member or partner but can also be a carer or friend.
04:00Modern slavery. Individuals are kept isolated from others and used purely by captors to work for little or no money,
04:09often forced to live in enclosed and unhealthy spaces.
04:16Systematic humiliation.
04:18Individuals are constantly derided and mocked for any differences, often in public environments.
04:28Aspects of human trafficking and modern slavery can be related to sex crimes, especially where the vulnerable adults affected are
04:39female.
04:40They can be coerced or threatened into enforced prostitution or other forms of sex work which will be very much
04:51against their will or personal values.
04:55Young women can also be subjected to female genital mutilation, FGM, at these times.
05:04This is a procedure that is still practiced in some areas of Africa, Asia and the Middle East but is
05:11a criminal act in the UK and other countries where authorities will actively safeguard against it.
05:21In addition to the earlier definition of a vulnerable adult, in this lesson there are likely to be specific and
05:29personal reasons why someone may be in serious need of external support.
05:36These could include such contributing factors as
05:41Mental health problems. Posing a risk to their own wellbeing and potentially other people.
05:48Alcohol and drug related issues. Posing a risk to themselves and others with their actions and decision making.
05:58Physical disabilities or injuries. Being more at risk to threats of violence and easier to isolate from others.
06:09Homeless and destitute. Being susceptible to emotional and physical harm or coercion.
06:16Old age. Being more easily intimidated or manipulated.
06:24No matter their circumstance, background or values, everyone has the right to feel safe in their own surroundings.
06:33This means that they should be able to live without constantly having to fear the actions of others.
06:42Being free from any acts of abuse, neglect, humiliation or exploitation.
06:51In realistic terms, most local authorities or carers cannot take on the full responsibility of safeguarding adults by themselves.
07:00This is why they must commit to supporting close contacts with the police, the National Health Service, NHS and other
07:12key organisations in the country.
07:16With this spirit of safety and cooperation, local authorities are advised to comply with several directives regarding safeguarding adults.
07:26They must commit to making immediate inquiries if a vulnerable adult is believed to be at risk of abuse or
07:35neglect.
07:36Opening an official inquiry to determine if rapid action is required to stop abuse or neglect and who will take
07:45responsibility for it.
07:48Set up a safeguarding adults board for regional investigations and escalation.
07:59Arrange for independent bodies to represent an adult who is the subject of the safeguarding inquiry.
08:07Contact and cooperate with all relevant organisations in order to protect adults on a national basis.
08:19Training is crucial when it comes to the effective safeguarding of vulnerable adults.
08:25Without the proper experience or knowledge, it is possible that symptoms of abuse or neglect can be missed.
08:37It will also be likely that some signs may be misread or misunderstood, leading to unfounded accusations and reputational damage.
08:50A careful balance must be maintained when it comes to safeguarding to ensure people's safety and to limit unnecessary harm
09:02to any innocent parties affected by it.
09:06Three primary teaching points need to be included with any safeguarding training and they arise from three important questions.
09:16They are, what type of abuse is thought to be taking place?
09:22It is important to know if a person is being manipulated, placed under mental stress or suffering physical violence in
09:33order to act accordingly.
09:35Why is the adult in a situation where they are at risk?
09:40Understanding why a person is in a vulnerable category can help decide how to deal with the issue.
09:48Which signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation have been seen?
09:55Verification of abuse can arise from behaviour changes or physical signs such as scratches, malnutrition, bruises or broken bones,
10:08sudden loss of property or wealth should also be considered.
10:13The main purpose of those three questions and the thinking behind them is that they will lead to a greater
10:21understanding of the needs and circumstances of a vulnerable adult.
10:29In turn, this will lead to more finely judged decisions on how to proceed with cases of suspected abuse or
10:39mistreatment.
10:41Appropriate activities will then lead to either the prevention of abuse or the immediate stoppage of it.
10:49In addition to those questions during safeguard training, three more factors should be covered.
10:56These must include priority for taking action.
11:00If a person is thought to be in significant harm or danger to life, they must be removed from the
11:07situation as quickly as possible.
11:10Following lawful practices, during all procedures, the appropriate legislation and protocol should be complied with fully.
11:23Understanding an individual's need.
11:26Each case should be treated as unique as should the requirements of the vulnerable adult affected by it.
11:37Whilst the wellbeing of a vulnerable adult at risk should always be the primary concern of any investigation or process
11:45regarding safeguarding,
11:48it is important to remember that laws and policies are in place to protect their interests at all levels.
11:57Imagine the emotional impact on a vulnerable adult if a beloved carer or a favourite family member was denied permission
12:07to help them,
12:09mainly due to unsubstantiated rumours and ineffectual safeguarding.
12:16Obviously, the emphasis on preventing abuse in the first place is just as important.
12:24It is important to remember that signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation can be hidden from investigations in several ways.
12:36Any training should also cover this aspect, including instances where vulnerable adults deny cases of abuse to investigators due to
12:47being afraid of repercussions from their abuser, having low self-esteem or no confidence, being from overseas and unfamiliar with
13:03their location or laws,
13:06being reluctant to cause any disruption to their lifestyle, feeling embarrassed or inadequate.
13:15That completes this first lesson where we have explained the definition of vulnerable adults,
13:23circumstances in which they can be put at risk and the importance of training in safeguarding methods.
13:32In the next lesson, we will focus on the existing UK laws and legislation regarding safeguarding adults.
13:43So stay with us and we'll see you soon.
13:49erstmal close the question in
13:49the meeting.
13:53unas
13:53sangat
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