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Transitional safeguarding: presenting the case for developing Making Safeguarding Personal for young people in England

  • Christine Cocker
    ,
  • Adrienne Cooper
    ,
  • Dez Holmes
    ,
  • Fiona Bateman
  • University of East Anglia
    ,
  • Research in Practice for Adults
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to set out the similarities and differences between the legal frameworks for safeguarding children and adults. It presents the case for developing a Transitional Safeguarding approach to create an integrated paradigm for safeguarding young people that better meets their developmental needs and better reflects the nature of harms young people face. Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on the key principles of the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014 and discusses their similarities and differences. It then introduces two approaches to safeguarding: Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP); and transitional safeguarding; that can inform safeguarding work with young people. Other legal frameworks that influence safeguarding practices, such as the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Human Rights Act 1998, are also discussed. Findings: Safeguarding practice still operates within a child/adult binary; neither safeguarding system adequately meets the needs of young people. Transitional Safeguarding advocates an approach to working with young people that is relational, developmental and contextual. MSP focuses on the wishes of the person at risk from abuse or neglect and their desired outcomes. This is also central to a Transitional Safeguarding approach, which is participative, evidence informed and promotes equalities, diversity and inclusion. Practical implications: Building a case for developing MSP for young people means that local partnerships could create the type of service that best meets local needs, whilst ensuring their services are participative and responsive to the specific safeguarding needs of individual young people. Originality/value: This paper promotes applying the principles of MSP to safeguarding practice with young people. It argues that the differences between the children and adult legislative frameworks are not so great that they would inhibit this approach to safeguarding young people.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 144-157 (14 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Adult Protection (Volume 23, Issue 3)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 25/01/2021

Publication status

Published - 25/01/2021

ISSN

1466-8203

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/624892
  • Scopus: 85100135347

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