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What difference does the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) 2007 make to social work service practitioners' safeguarding practice?

What difference does the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) 2007 make to social work service... Purpose – This article seeks to explore the difference that adult support and protection legislation may have made to work with adults at risk of harm in Scotland. Design/methodology/approach – The article is based upon findings of a joint academic and practitioner qualitative research project that interviewed 29 social service practitioners across three local authorities. Findings – The legislation was seen as positive, giving greater attention to adults at risk. Views about the actual difference it made to the practitioners' practice varied, and were more likely in new rather than ongoing work. Three differences were noted: duties of investigation, protection orders and improved shared responsibility within the local authority and across other agencies, but to a lesser extent NHS staff. Overall it gave effective responses, more quickly for the adults at risk. Whilst the law brought greater clarity of role, there were tensions for practitioners in balancing an adult's right to autonomy with practitioners' safeguarding responsibilities. Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that a dedicated law can improve safeguarding practice by clarifying the role of social work practitioners and the responsibilities of other agencies. The right to request access to records and banning orders were seen as valuable new measures in safeguarding adults at risk. As such the study from the first UK country to use dedicated adult safeguarding law offers a valuable insight for policy makers, professionals and campaign groups from other countries, which might be considering similar action. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The Journal of Adult Protection Emerald Publishing

What difference does the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) 2007 make to social work service practitioners' safeguarding practice?

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1466-8203
DOI
10.1108/14668201211256681
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – This article seeks to explore the difference that adult support and protection legislation may have made to work with adults at risk of harm in Scotland. Design/methodology/approach – The article is based upon findings of a joint academic and practitioner qualitative research project that interviewed 29 social service practitioners across three local authorities. Findings – The legislation was seen as positive, giving greater attention to adults at risk. Views about the actual difference it made to the practitioners' practice varied, and were more likely in new rather than ongoing work. Three differences were noted: duties of investigation, protection orders and improved shared responsibility within the local authority and across other agencies, but to a lesser extent NHS staff. Overall it gave effective responses, more quickly for the adults at risk. Whilst the law brought greater clarity of role, there were tensions for practitioners in balancing an adult's right to autonomy with practitioners' safeguarding responsibilities. Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that a dedicated law can improve safeguarding practice by clarifying the role of social work practitioners and the responsibilities of other agencies. The right to request access to records and banning orders were seen as valuable new measures in safeguarding adults at risk. As such the study from the first UK country to use dedicated adult safeguarding law offers a valuable insight for policy makers, professionals and campaign groups from other countries, which might be considering similar action.

Journal

The Journal of Adult Protection – Emerald Publishing

Published: Aug 3, 2012

Keywords: Safeguarding; Adult protection; Legal; Scotland; Social work; Ethical dilemmas; Social care; Health services; United Kingdom; Legislation; Social services

References

  • Ethics, Accountability and the Social Professions
    Banks, S.
  • The Scottish adult support and protection legal framework
    Mackay, K.
  • Vulnerability, autonomy, capacity and consent
    Mackay, K.
  • Exploring How Practitioners Support and Protect Adults at Risk of Harm in the Light of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
    Mackay, K.; McLaughlan, C.; Rossi, S.; McNicholl, J.; Notman, M.; Fraser, D.
  • Qualitative Researching
    Mason, J.
  • Investigations into Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders Services for People with Learning Disabilities: Joint Statement from the Mental Welfare Commission and the Social Work Services Inspectorate
    Mental Welfare Commission and the Social Work Services Inspectorate
  • Adult Protection and the Law in Scotland
    Patrick, H.; Smith, N.
  • Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research
    Ritchie, J.; Spencer, L.
  • Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007: Code of Practice
    Scottish Government
  • Summary Report for Biennial Reports 2008‐2010
    Scottish Government
  • Supporting vulnerable adults: citizenship, capacity and choice
    Stewart, A.