Citation
Penhale, B. and Flynn, M. (2015), "Editorial", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 17 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-08-2015-0023
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Editorial
Article Type: Editorial From: The Journal of Adult Protection, Volume 17, Issue 5.
Bridget Penhale and Margaret Flynn
Welcome to our fifth issue of the year! This issue contains a mix of research, conceptual and policy papers across a range of different topics relating to safeguarding that we hope will be of interest to you and provide food for thought (and even possible action) in whatever setting you are in!
Our first paper by Caroline Norrie and colleagues is a research-based paper concerning the topic of outcome measures within the field of adult safeguarding. The Social Care Workforce Research Unit at King’s College London have been involved in a programme of work to develop and implement a standardised Adult at Risk Outcome measure in adult safeguarding for use in adult safeguarding within Adult Social Care in England. The paper focuses on early work in the study concerning the cognitive testing phase. An outcome measure (seven questions administered during a face-to-ace interview) was tested in three local authorities (LA) with adults at risk (or their carers/advocates) for whom an investigation of abuse had been concluded and LA staff who assisted with the survey were also interviewed about the usability and feasibility of administering such a tool. As a result of this testing phase the questions required further adjustment and refinement and suggestions for improvement of the guidance documentation were also made. The findings provide useful information relating to the further development and feasibility testing of a measure, and the next stage of the study is to pilot the revised outcome measure, so further reporting of this study is likely in due course.
The second paper, by Patricia Clarke from Liverpool John Moores University, is also research based and details a study that examined the perceptions of nursing students in the first year of their degree programmes about their learning experiences in placements in Independent sector nursing homes. Students in the study identified a number of issues, specifically linked to such areas as leadership, and practices concerning manual handling and infection control. Although this was a relatively small-scale study within one geographical area of the country, many first year students have a unique perspective on placement settings as they may not have any previous experience of the nursing home sector. Questioning of accepted norms may also be more likely to take place, although some students may face barriers in raising issues within such settings and may well need support from their universities to be able to do so effectively.
The following paper concerns the topic of Hate Crime and is a contribution by Ged Doherty, who is based at the University of Leeds. In this conceptual and practice-oriented piece, we are (re-) introduced to the issue of Hate Crime and it’s positioning with the somewhat broader framework of Disability Hate Crime. This is followed by an exploration of the practice implications, particularly in relation to how social care (and related) organisations are developing responses to the issue, including consideration of the question of whether safeguarding adults processes are appropriate for these types of situations.
Our fourth paper by Jamie Grace, from Sheffield Hallam University considers the topic of information sharing within adult safeguarding from theoretical and policy-analysis perspectives. Through a consideration of several recent case studies, the paper considers issues related to surveillance and recent developments in technologies and policies as part of the wider public protection framework. It also explores the possible implication of such approaches within adult safeguarding and in particular approaches to information sharing and risk management processes.
Ian Cummins from Salford University provides the fifth paper of this issue, which is a case study paper that provides an examination and analysis of a specific Serious Case Review that was reported in 2013. The paper reports the broad themes of the review but also sets the review in the context of broader existing literature considering the experiences of individuals who witness and/or report cases of sexual violence. The case raised issues in relation to the extent and nature of support for individuals, including from the mental health sector and the potential impacts of the media on reporting of court hearings of cases concerning rape. This paper usefully draws together a number of themes and issues from the broader field and links these to current practices in this area, with consideration of the potential implications for safeguarding.
Our final contribution is a paper by Tim Spencer-Lane of the Law Commission who has provided an introductory policy piece on the review and consultation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, which is currently underway in England and Wales. The paper briefly introduces the background to the review and then sets out the (draft) proposals contained in the consultation paper the Law Commission have produced. Readers are invited to consider the proposals and to respond to and make their views known in the consultation, which runs until November. Details of how to contribute are provided in the paper. This is an opportunity not to be missed for all who might wish to have the chance to influence policy, and potentially even future practice in this area!
We hope that this issue of the journal will be of interest and provide some thought-provoking material for you to consider. As always, if any reader has ideas about a potential contribution to the Journal but would like to discuss this possibility further, please do contact one of the editors for advice and/or assistance. Our contact details are listed at the front of the journal.