Abuse of vulnerable adults
PRINCIPLES OF SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTION IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Within the care sector there are many individuals who rely and depend on the help and support of others such as nurses, social workers and support workers. When this level of trust and responsibility exists it is important that these individuals are able to feel safe and confident and not at risk to abuse. It is therefore our responsibility as carers to ensure there are safeguarding procedures in place to protect all individuals from any form of abuse at all times.
In order to effectively safeguard against abuse within health and social care settings it is first important to identify types of abuse so as to see how the risk of abuse can be restricted and also ensure staff are able to identify any typical signs of abuse as quickly as possible.
Types of Abuse
Abuse can be categorised in one of seven ways
Physical
Sexual
Financial/Exploitation
Psychological/Emotional
Neglect
Discriminatory
Institutional
Physical Abuse
Physical Abuse is typically interpreted as a physical attack (punching, kicking) but can also include other acts of physical harm such as shaking, burns or force-feeding. Indications of physical abuse will be found as bruising, scratches and injuries (more frequent or uncharacteristic injuries if an individual is prone to injuries for other reasons). Physical abuse may also include medication being withheld from an individual causing them to appear more agitated or in pain; conversely medication could be overused making an individual appear perhaps tired/drowsy.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can include rape or the involvement of a vulnerable adult in any form of sexual contact without consent; this can include coercing individuals into masturbation or the viewing of pornographic material. Signs of sexual abuse may be physical such as bruising or bleeding on/around the genitals, the contraction of sexually transmitted infections or even unexplained
Within the care sector there are many individuals who rely and depend on the help and support of others such as nurses, social workers and support workers. When this level of trust and responsibility exists it is important that these individuals are able to feel safe and confident and not at risk to abuse. It is therefore our responsibility as carers to ensure there are safeguarding procedures in place to protect all individuals from any form of abuse at all times.
In order to effectively safeguard against abuse within health and social care settings it is first important to identify types of abuse so as to see how the risk of abuse can be restricted and also ensure staff are able to identify any typical signs of abuse as quickly as possible.
Types of Abuse
Abuse can be categorised in one of seven ways
Physical
Sexual
Financial/Exploitation
Psychological/Emotional
Neglect
Discriminatory
Institutional
Physical Abuse
Physical Abuse is typically interpreted as a physical attack (punching, kicking) but can also include other acts of physical harm such as shaking, burns or force-feeding. Indications of physical abuse will be found as bruising, scratches and injuries (more frequent or uncharacteristic injuries if an individual is prone to injuries for other reasons). Physical abuse may also include medication being withheld from an individual causing them to appear more agitated or in pain; conversely medication could be overused making an individual appear perhaps tired/drowsy.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can include rape or the involvement of a vulnerable adult in any form of sexual contact without consent; this can include coercing individuals into masturbation or the viewing of pornographic material. Signs of sexual abuse may be physical such as bruising or bleeding on/around the genitals, the contraction of sexually transmitted infections or even unexplained