P4- Explain the likelihood of abuse and
neglect for service users in health and social care
Write the correct type of
vulnerability in the left hand column.
- Physical Vulnerability
- Cognitive impairment
- Emotional vulnerability
- Social vulnerability
- Staffing issues may lead to institutional abuse and neglect.
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A condition ranging from mild to more severe, in which an
individual has trouble remembering, concentrating and learning, or in making
decisions. A person with cognitive impairment may have difficulty protecting
themselves from abuse, exploitation or neglect. Causes of cognitive
impairment can include head injury or being born with learning disabilities.
The extent of the cognitive impairment will have an impact on how they are
able to protect themselves from abuse. Each service user is an individual and
their circumstances are unique.
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Elderly people may outlive their friends and relatives
and lose confidence in making new friends. They may fear going out or have
problems accessing support that may be available. People may be lonely for
all sorts of reasons. New mothers who are coping with a baby may feel
socially isolated and vulnerable, as may children in care who are moved from
one home to another. Social vulnerability may also affect those who cannot
afford to engage in social activities.
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Sometimes health and social care services let service
users down. To deliver an exceptional level of care, correct numbers of staff
must be employed, trained and on duty. Staff disputes, low morale and
sickness can impact on a care team’s performance.
Workers should be treated fairly, their views should be
heard and they should feel part of a team. If you have concerns about
staffing levels or other issues that may affect your ability to deliver an
acceptable level of care. If you notice the staffing levels are low you may
need to take your concerns to the CQC. This may also be your course of action
if you are concerns about the quality of leadership. For other shortcomings,
such as lack of training for new or established staff, you should first take
your concerns to your manager.
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There are many reasons that your service user could be
physically vulnerable these may contribute greatly to the risk of abuse or
neglect. A service user may have a chronic medical condition (a long lasting
disorder), such as arthritis. Their physical frailty increases and their
strength may diminish. This can make them more vulnerable to physical abuse
and more susceptible to neglect. Younger children may also be more vulnerable
to physical abuse as they are often smaller than their abuser.
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Emotional vulnerability can impair an individual’s
judgement. A person with depression, anxiety or phobias may react differently
to the dangers around them or may not even perceive a danger at all. They may
be more vulnerable to persuasion or coercion. You need to be alert to the
signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect as individuals may be unwilling or
unable to complaint about what is happening to them.
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Case Study
Adam is 36. He has Down’s syndrome and he used to live with
mother. When his mother became too frail to look after him he moved in with his
brother, Ben, who lives eight miles away. Adam can use the bus to go and see
his mum, but Ben is scared that Adam will get lost and has asked him to not go
on his own. Ben and his wife both work full-time and Adam is often alone. Adam
is well fed and his clothes are clean. Adam’s old friends miss him, but Adam
has told them he now has new friends where he lives so they do not need to
worry about him. Adam has not joined any groups. He does not go out and he
feels very lonely and isolated. Sabrina, Adam’s new social worker, wants to
help Adam meet new people.
- Is Adam neglected? _______________________________________________
- What could Sabrina do to improve the quality of Adam’s life? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- How can Sabrina support the rest of Adam’s family? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- What could happen to Adam if his social needs are not met? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Why is it important for Sabrina to document all of her interventions and keep a check on Adam’s progress? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
