Adult Safeguarding Practices in NHS Mental Health Trusts: Challenges for Leadership and Service Provision

Abstract

The abuse and neglect of adults at risk is increasingly recognised as a social problem in the U.K. Policy development for the protection of at risk adults has seen substantial growth since the publication of the No Secrets (2000) guidance. Despite cumulative evidence that NHS mental health services have been slow to engage with the national adult safeguarding agenda, there is a paucity of research in this area. This poster presentation will describe a Grounded Theory study designed to explore the use and implementation of adult safeguarding practices and procedures in three NHS mental health trusts. It will specifically present the findings of sixteen interviews with strategic leaders for adult safeguarding and operational personnel. It will discuss the conceptual components that are central to the implementation of effective adult safeguarding procedures in mental health. It will further highlight barriers to practice and demonstrate the need for multi-dimensional approaches within service contexts to ensure that factors inevitably affecting mental health service users are anticipated. Such factors include: the perpetuation of social inequalities and power differentials within healthcare settings, the calamitous relationship between the symptoms of abuse and mental illness, and the internalised collusive culture historical to mental health settings.

Presenters

Robert Dempsey
Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University

Tina Hamilton
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, United Kingdom

Eleanor Bradley
Professor, University of Worcester

Details

Presentation Type

Poster Session

Theme

2020 Special Focus—Advancing Health and Equity: Best Practices in an International Perspective

KEYWORDS

Abuse, Neglect, Mental Health, Adult Safeguarding, Protection, Practice Improvement

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