Working with Vulnerable Adults

In recent years there has been increasing concern about the protection from abuse of adults who receive social services or who are in residential or nursing home care. In 2001 social services departments were given lead responsibility for co-ordinating responses to allegations and situations of abuse. At the same time, there has been a drive towards multi-agency work. This text covers key issues in service provision for all vulnerable groups and in particular examines:

• contemporary policy
• relevant theory
• protection issues at all levels of interaction
• the ethical dilemmas and philosophical implications of protective action.

With case study examples and practical exercises throughout, Working with Vulnerable Adults provides a much needed handbook for those studying and working within this area.

This text provides an understanding of current professional practice in social and health care, examining abuse of vulnerable adults and the ways in which social policy, welfare services and practitioners may compound or alleviate vulnerability. Working with Vulnerable Adults develops a sound basis for understanding issues of risk, vulnerability and protection and investigates how agency policies and procedures may, often unintentionally, lead to the voice of service users being marginalised or unheard. Drawing on recent and established research about the protection of vulnerable adults, the book covers: · Social work, social care settings and vulnerable adults · The concept of abuse and adult protection · Using the law in adult protection · Professional and quality assurance issues · Assessment in social work with vulnerable adults · Dealing with and managing vulnerability, risk and abuse · Adults with mental health difficulties, long-term conditions and learning disabilities · Community abuse and asylum seekers Much contemporary social and health care practice with adults is concerned with issues of risk and protection. Working with Vulnerable Adults provides information and knowledge for students and practitioners who are interested in finding out more about this important field.

Introduction 1. Context and Background: Social Work, Social Care Settings and Vulnerable Adults 2. The Concept of Abuse and Adult Protection 3. Using the Law in Adult Protection 4. Performance Management, Inspection, Regulation and Quality Assurance Issues in Social Care 5. Assessment in Social Work with Vulnerable Adults 6. Dealing with and Managing Vulnerability, Risk and Abuse in Social Care Practice 7. Practice with Adults with Mental Health Difficulties and Protection Issues 8. Practice with Adults with Learning Disabilities and Protection Issues 9. Practice with Adults with Long-Term Conditions and Protection Issues 10. Community Abuse and Asylum Seekers 11. Conclusions References

Bridget Penhale is Reader in Gerontology at the University of Sheffield and Head of Research at the Institute of Health and Social Care Studies, Guernsey, UK. Jonathan Parker is Professor of Social Work at Bournemouth University, UK.