Unit 4222-205
Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care.
Outcome 1.
Know how to recognise signs of abuse.
Define the following types of abuse:
Physical abuse: Is often associated with emotional signs and change in behaviour towards a relative and member of staff. It??™s also injuries that have not received medical attention, pressure sores from wet bedding and loss of appetite.
Sexual abuse: In adults consent may not be given and sexual activity is forced upon that person. Children are known not to be considered to give informal consent to any sexual activity. Bruising in genital/anal areas they may found it very sore when sitting down. They might even find out they have a sexual transmitted disease.
Emotion/ psychological abuse: Is when someone the person trusts start to undermine them that causes emotional damage. They could say simple things like,
Telling someone they are worthless
Telling someone they are not wanted.
Financial abuse: Can be inflicted by family members, friends and care workers. Taking money from a person and not giving the correct change or unusual payments going out of the bank.
Institutional abuse: Is when you treat a adult like a child with strict routines ect getting out of bed and in at a certain time, taking someone to the toilet and even family contact.
Self neglect: is when the person in question puts themselves at risk and place them in danger. It may be by drinking too much alcohol or drug misuse or causing self harm by cutting themselves.
Neglect by others: This is often by a support worker, family or friend. Lack of personal care; like leaving someone in a dirty/wet bed or malnutrition taking their food away before they have finished or placing it where they can??™t reach it.
2. Identify the signs and/or symptoms associated with each type of abuse.
Physical abuse
* Multiple bruising or finger marks
* Pressure sore or rashes from wet bedding/clothing
* Mood changes
* Scratches or cuts
* Black eyes or bruised ears
Sexual abuse
* Recurrent genital or urinary infections
* Blood or marks on underwear
* Bruises and scratches on body
* Anxiety and tearful
* Refusal to undress
Emotional/Psychological abuse
* Reports from neighbours of shouting and screaming
* Being treated like a child
* Carer ignoring vulnerable persons presence and needs
Financial abuse
* Family unwilling to pay from persons funds for services
* Family regularly asking for money from personal allowance
* Sudden changing of a will
* People not being allowed to manage their own financial affairs
Institutional abuse
* Privacy and dignity are not respected
* Complaints procedures are deliberately made unavailable
* Residents are not given choice over day-to-day decisions
Self neglect
* Confused
* Refusal to undress
* Clothes/body dirty and smelly
* Unexplained weight loss
Neglect by other
* Person is still hungry
* Person has sores and skin rashes
* Person dirty and smelly
3. Describe factors that may contribute to an individual being more vulnerable to abuse.
A vulnerable individual is someone who is unable to look after themselves, protect themselves from harm or from being exploited, this may be because they have a mental health problem, a disability, are old and frail.
Outcome 2. Know how to respond to suspected or alleged abuse.
1. Explain the actions to take if there are suspicions that an individual is being abused.
If I suspect any abuse I would report it to the senior/nurse on duty to make sure it doesn??™t happen anymore.
2. Explain the actions to take if an individual alleges that they are being abused.
I would follow the homes policies and procedures related to the abuse. Making sure I protect the individual and do the best by them.
3. Identify ways to ensure that evidence of abuse is preserved.
I would write details of things that were said at the time, also date and time. I would then pass the information on to my senior or manager. She may ask me to write a statement explaining the conversation between myself and the person involved. I would then sign and date as this may be used in legal proceedings in the future. This information must remain confidential.
Outcome 3. Understand the national and local context of safeguarding and protection from abuse.
1. Identify national policies and local systems that relate to safeguarding and protection from abuse.
National and local policies relating to safeguarding and protection from abuse could include
* Safeguarding vulnerable group act 2006
* Family law act 1996
* Care standards 2000
* Mental capacity act 2005
* Protection of vulnerable adults (POVA)
2. Explain the roles of different agencies in safeguarding and protecting individuals from abuse.
Safeguarding vulnerable group act 2006.
An organization wishing to employ someone to work with children or vulnerable adults must apply for a CRB (Criminal Record Bureau). CRB disclosers give employers information about a person??™s criminal records history which informs their assessments about the persons suitability to work with children or vulnerable adults.
Care standards act 2000 (CSA)
This act has two fundamental aims to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect promotes high standards of quality care that people receive.
Protection of vulnerable adults POVA
This must be checked by all people recruiting in social care sector when they do the CRB check. An employer has a duty to add a person to the list if they have been involved in any form of behaviour that harms a vulnerable person.
3. Identify reports into serious failures to protect individuals from abuse.
In august 2002 two girls in Soham, Cambridgeshire called Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman both ten years of age were murdered. The killer was the local school caretaker Ian Huntley.
In 2003 the inquiry was announced and urgently enquired into child protection procedures in Humberside police and Cambridgeshire constabulary.
The enquiry opened Jan 13th 2004 the findings of the inquiry were published in July 2004. Humberside and Cambridgeshire police found that there were critical errors of their fallings to maintaining records on Huntley. 1995-1999 there were four accusations of underage sex, three rape allegations and one indecent assault. Also he had been arrested in 1996 for burglary. The enquiry also recommends a registration scheme for people working with children and vulnerable adults. The recommendation led to the foundation of the independent safeguarding authority it also suggest a nation system for police forces should be set up to share intelligence information. The report said there should also be a clear code of practice on record keeping by all police forces.
4. Identify sources of information and advice about own role in safeguarding and protecting individuals from abuse.
My roles as a carer are to follow policies relating to safeguarding vulnerable adults.
Photocopies of company safeguarding policies.
Appendix:- 4.0 Safeguarding Adults
Appendix:- 4.1 Adult Abuse
Appendix:- 4.2 Residents??™ Wellbeing
Outcome 4. Understand ways to reduce the likelihood of abuse.
1. Explain how the likelihood of abuse may be reduced by:
* Working with person centred values
* Encouraging active participation
* Promoting choice and rights
Working with person centred values:-
I would get to know the client, find out their preferences, their character, family circle and contacts. By doing all this I would be aware of any changes in them and hopefully pick up on any risks before they happen.
Encourage active participation:-
By doing this I would involve the client and build up trusting relationship. I would encourage the client to express their needs; hopefully this would help them to confide in me about any problems they are experiencing.
Promoting choice and rights:-
I would encourage them to speak up and voice their own concerns. Encourage them to say NO to anything they see wrong or unacceptable. I would also inform them of their rights.
2. Explain the importance of an accessible complaints procedure for reducing the likelihood of abuse.
I would encourage the client to speak up about any issues they may have. I would make sure they have nothing to be frightened of, guilty or threatened if they do make a complaint. If the complaints forms were more easily assessable the client would know what to do, who to complain to and what will happen next.
Outcome 5. Know how to recognise and report unsafe practices.
1. Describe unsafe practices that may affect the well-being of individuals
IT is my responsibility to report any unsafe practices straight away to my senior/matron. This is called ???whistle blowing??? on somebody for doing something wrong or illegal especially at work.
Not having the proper equipment ect hoists, slings and bed rests. Therefore putting the client at risk.
2. Explain the actions to take if unsafe practices have been identified.
It is my responsibility to report any unsafe practices to my senior/matron. ???Whistle blowing???.
3. Describe the action to take if suspected abuse or unsafe practices have been reported but nothing has been done in response.
If I felt nothing had been done I would contact CQC (Care Quality Commission) Also the police.
Joanne Hudson.
