Bridges and Barriers: Exploring the Involvement of Older People in Adult Safeguarding

Lonbay, Sarah (2015) Bridges and Barriers: Exploring the Involvement of Older People in Adult Safeguarding. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

Adult safeguarding guidance in the UK highlights the importance of fully engaging adults at risk in all areas of safeguarding (at both a strategic and an individual level). However, research has suggested that the level of involvement is low, both regionally (in the North East of England), and nationally. This thesis presents an exploration of the involvement of older people at both a strategic level (within local decision making on policy and practice guidance), and an individual level (within individual safeguarding investigations), with the aim of contributing to greater knowledge and understanding of this area, and developing indicators for best practice.

The research applied a qualitative approach, informed by critical realism, with data collected in two local authorities in the North East of England. Data collection methods included interviews and observations, as well as the compiling of related policy documents. Participants included key stakeholders in adult safeguarding; social workers, members of the Safeguarding Adults Boards, family members, and advocates were all interviewed as part of the research. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Through this in-depth exploration a theoretical model of the involvement of older people in adult safeguarding was developed. The emerging model provides a deeper understanding of involvement in adult safeguarding by highlighting key factors which both help and hinder involvement. The model reveals the complex interplay between multiple factors impacting on the involvement of older people in adult safeguarding which include, for example, the individual circumstances of the older person and the environment within which adult safeguarding work occurs. The importance of establishing a clear role and remit for involvement in this area is also demonstrated with reference to established models, and the manner in which involvement is constructed within adult safeguarding policy and by key stakeholders. The outputs from this project include contribution to the current discussion in the areas of service user involvement, adult safeguarding, and social work policy, practice and research.

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