Safeguarding and Protection of Vulnerable Adults

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Constantine Bennett G1 Unit 14 Understand the legislation, regulations and policies that underpin the protection of vulnerable adults. * 1.1 Analyse the differences between the concept of safeguarding and the concept of protection in relation to vulnerable adults. Safeguarding practices are most commonly applied to children and young people under the age of 18. Key parts of legislation have recently been extended to include similar standards of protection to ‘vulnerable adults’. A vulnerable adult is a person defined as aged 18 or over, who either had a dependency on others or a requirement for assistance in the performance of basis function, a severe impairment in the ability to communicate with others, or has the reduced ability to protect themselves from assault or abuse or neglect. This can be result of a learning or physical disability, mental illness (including addiction to drugs or alcohol), or reduction in mental or physical capacity. In March 2000 the ‘no secrets’ department of health guidance was issued under section 7 of the local authority social services act 1970. It places a responsibility on social services to play a co-ordinating role in developing local procedures and policies for the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse. In addition, it states that other statutory agencies should work together in partnership to ensure that appropriate policies are in place and implemented. “Vulnerable adults” became “adults in need of safeguarding” to recognise a shift in service philosophy and practice since the launch of “No Secrets” in 2000. The term “Vulnerable Adults” can be disempowering and can also suggest that the cause of abuse is located with the victim rather than acts or omissions of others. There can be confusion with the definition; a “Vulnerable Adult” in ‘No Secrets’ may be different to a “Vulnerable Adult” as defined in The Care
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