Leading the change from adult protection to safeguarding adults: more than just semantics

Abstract

In many if not most areas of England, there has been a significant change in the language used to describe work with vulnerable adults. Most local councils have evolved their language from ‘protecting’ to ‘safeguarding’ vulnerable adults. This paper will argue that unless this is accompanied by a change in practice and focus, this will be a hollow change in semantics and will not improve the life chances of disabled people. By defining safeguarding as opposed to protection, it is suggested how Coventry City Council could frame the change process needed to ensure that the move from protection to safeguarding is real and not hollow.

Citation

Reece, A. (2010), "Leading the change from adult protection to safeguarding adults: more than just semantics", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 30-34. https://doi.org/10.5042/jap.2010.0412