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Making safeguarding personal and social work practice with older adults: findings from local-authority survey data in England

  • Adrienne Cooper
    ,
  • Christine Cocker
    ,
  • Mike Briggs
  • University of East Anglia
    ,
  • MBMC Services Ltd
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

This article presents the results of a survey of English local authorities undertaken in 2016 about the implementation of Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) in adult social care services. MSP is an approach to adult safeguarding practice that prioritises the needs and outcomes identified by the person being supported. The key findings from a survey of local authorities are described, emphasising issues for safeguarding older adults, who are the largest group of people who experience adult safeguarding enquiries. The survey showed that social workers are enthusiastic about MSP and suggests that this approach results in a more efficient use of resources. However, implementation and culture change are affected by different factors, including: austerity; local authority systems and structures; the support of leaders, managers and partners in implementing MSP; service capacity; and input to develop skills and knowledge in local authorities and partner organisations. There are specific challenges for social workers in using MSP with older adults, particularly regarding mental capacity issues for service users, communication skills with older people, family and carers, and the need to combat ageism in service delivery. Organisational blocks affecting local authorities developing this 'risk enabling' approach to adult safeguarding are discussed.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 1014-1032

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

British Journal of Social Work (Volume 48, Issue 4)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 01/04/2018
  • Published - 25/07/2018

Publication status

Published - 25/07/2018

ISSN

0045-3102

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/624546
  • Scopus: 85052918515

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