HLT6012 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

Module Name:  Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

Year: 23-24/S1

Assignment Brief: September2023

1.   Assessment

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO1:Critically analyse the concept of safeguarding vulnerable adults.

LO2: Analyse and evaluate definitions, indicators & signs of abuse.

LO3: Apply the policies that underpin your role in the recognition of and response to abuse.

LO4: Identify and analyse the factors that inhibit and assist partnership working when safeguarding vulnerable adults.

Assessment Brief

Produce an essay of 4000 words in which you critically analyse the role of a care worker in recognising and responding to Mr B.C. in the case study suffering from the abuse and neglect.

(In terms of ‘care worker’,students can apply a wider concept to the role, which will be outlined)

In the essay, define, evaluate, and analyse the indicators and signs of abuse featured in this case study in relation to the concept of safeguarding vulnerable adults. Examine the policies those involved with Mr. B.C.’s care should work to in the recognition of and response to allegations of abuse and neglect. Identify and analyse the elements which may have supported or prevented in partnership working in this case.

CASE STUDY

Mr. B.C.

Brief overview of the circumstances that led to this review.

Mr BC, aged 72, died in a fire at his home on 7th November 2014. He lived as an assured tenant in a flat in sheltered housing, receiving housing-related support from staff at the scheme. He also received a personal care and support package of 14 hours per week from a care agency commissioned by London Borough of Hackney Adult Social Care. His adult sons and daughters were actively involved in supporting him; one of his daughters managed his finances and paperwork and bought his food. Mr B.C.was a heavy smoker who also routinely drank large amounts of alcohol. He had several complex health problems including high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, a hip replacement, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, and cataracts: his condition resulted in him having poor mobility, balance and incontinence, as well as he neglected his diet, personal hygiene, and home conditions.

 Emergency services were alerted on several occasions:

the police to deal with repeated verbal and physical abuse of Mr B.C. by a neighbour, and theft from Mr B.C. by visitors to the building; the ambulance service when he had falls; the fire brigade when smoke alarms were activated. On several occasions safeguarding referrals were made. Early on the morning of 7th November 2014, afire broke out in Mr BC’s flat, as the seat of the fire being on his bed. All emergency services attended, and ambulance personnel treated Mr B.C., but he was pronounced dead at the scene. At a post-mortem on 10th November 2014 the cause of his death was identified as smoke inhalation. The Coroner’s Court completed an inquest on 30th April 2015. The verdict was of accidental death with a Prevention of Future Deaths Report submitted to London Borough of Hackney.

CASE CHRONOLOGY

2006

It was noted that his wife had died, and he was finding it difficult to deal with his loss. His family were providing a ‘significant amount of care and support’ with daily visits from his two daughters providing(shopping, housework, supervision of medication and

financial management) and regular visits from a second son. They were reported to be as keen for him to undertake detox treatment. One daughter, who was present at the assessment, declined a carers assessment.

20^thDecember 2007 – May 2010

-During this period Mr BC, who was living with his son on a 6th floor council flat, became known to Adult Social Care, initially because of hospital admission for a

stroke, and subsequently through referral by his family, who were providing significant amounts of care and support.

-A further hospital admission for confusion and urinary tract infection followed risks arising from his poor health due to a range of chronic conditions, together with his substantial consumption of alcohol, led to recognition that his independence was at substantial risk.

10th January 2008

Additionally, his assessment records indicate that a CT scan conducted in the hospital showed small infarcts of unknown age; an occupational therapy assessment concluded that he was able to attend independently to his own personal care; and a capacity assessment undertaken by a doctor also stated he ‘has capacity.

23rd January 2008

-An assessment on, Mr B.C. was noted as having a long history of alcohol misuse, but being ‘in denial’ of this, and mobility

problems and poor balance, which made him prone to falls.

April and May 2008

 Police responded to two domestic incidents involving verbal arguments between Mr B.C. and the son who lived with him these seemed to stem from his son’s attempts to moderate Mr B.C.’s drinking. On the second of these Mr B.C. had threated to burn the house down, but this was not pursued as his son did not wish to substantiate the criminal allegation. Mr BC declined a Police offer to refer him to social services and to the GP. Standard risk assessments were recorded on both occasions.

6^th May 2008

A Merlin alert was sent to CAIT (the Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team) and YOT (Youth Offending Team) due to the presence of Mr B.C.’s 11-year-old grandson present in the house.

29th May2009

The Overview result of the assessment of Mr B.C. with his two daughters present, provided further detailed and consistent with the above, noting also that Mr B.C. was sometimes depressed and irritable, lacked energy and did not sleep sufficiently.It recorded his needs as giving rise to substantial risk to independence and deemed them eligible for community care provision. Mr B.C.’s Wishes were to have a carer’s visit three times a week to help with his personal care, attend a day centre for social interaction, and to move to sheltered accommodation. The form also mentioned a need for podiatry, review by an optician, referral to a befriending scheme and Telecare assessment.

From-2009

-He received a care package that gradually increased from 3 to 7 hours per week and included meals on wheels. There was occasional intervention from the Police when Mr B.C. became abusive to his adult children during arguments about his drinking, resulting on each occasion in no further action.

1st January 2009

Police attended following a further

domestic incident5 in which Mr B.C.’s son became locked out but could hear Mr BC distressed inside. He had forced entry, found Mr B.C. drunk and an argument had ensued, a standard risk assessment was completed, and no further action was taken.

23rd April 2009,

Mr BC’s daughter Ms AT made a direct referral to Adult Social care Mr BC, by then described himas living alone, was said to have ‘let himself go’ since the death of his wife. A range of health issues were noted: strokes, hip replacement, high blood pressure, diabetes, sickle cell disease, arthritis, cataracts. He was described as prone to falls due to poor mobility and high alcohol consumption, doubly incontinent when drinking, neglecting his diet.

Safeguarding Adults Review of the circumstances

concerning Mr B.C. Overview Report

Safeguarding Adults Review Panel Chair: Chris Pelham

Lead reviewer/overview report writer: Suzy Braye

April 2016

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

Level HE6 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM, the Reference List should include three refereed academic journals and five academic books.

Specific Assessment Criteria:

(Please note that the General Assessment Criteria will also apply. Please see section 2)

First class (70% and above):

Students will provide an in-depth analysis of the role of a care worker in recognising and responding to adults suffering from one form of abuse, demonstrating excellent critical reasoning skills. A wider concept to the role of a carer is outlined and applied to the case study.  Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be excellent.

Second class 2 (1) (60-69%):

Students will provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of a care worker in recognising and responding to adults suffering from one form of abuse, demonstrating very good critical reasoning skills. A comprehensive concept to the role of a carer is outlined and applied to the case study.  Research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be good.

Lower Second class2 (2) (50-59%

Students will demonstrate a sound breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice for this level as well as demonstrate a sound conceptual understanding of specialised areas.

 Third class (40-49%):

Students will provide a satisfactory analysis of the role of a care worker in recognising and responding to adults suffering from one form of abuse, demonstrating satisfactory critical reasoning skills. A satisfactory concept to the role of a carer is outlined and applied to the case study. Research demonstrating use of a range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be fair.

 Fail (39% and below): Students who do not meet the requirements of a third-class grade will not successfully complete the assessment activity.