Assessment tools used in adult safeguarding practice within the UK and Ireland: results from a small-scale qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose Across the UK and Ireland, there are a range of processes and interventions offered to adults who, because of personal characteristics or life circumstances, require help to keep themselves safe from potential harm or abuse. The ways in which the statutory and voluntary sectors have chosen to safeguard these adults varies. Different models of intervention and the utilisation of a range of assessment tools, frameworks and approaches have evolved, often in response to policy and practice wisdom. Empirical research in this area is limited. The primary research purpose of the project on which this paper is based is to gather information on the range of tools and frameworks that are used in adult safeguarding practice across the UK and Ireland. In so doing, this paper seeks to contribute and inform the future development of an evidence based adult safeguarding assessment framework. Design/methodology/approach A team of academics from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland wanted to explore the possibility of adapting a pre-existing assessment framework currently in use in family and childcare social work to consider its utility in assessing carers involved in adult safeguarding referrals. This paper reports on a small pilot study which sought to inform the adaptation of this framework for use in adult safeguarding. This paper is based on a qualitative study involving 11 semi-structured telephone interviews with adult safeguarding social work managers and experienced practitioners. Two to four professionals from each region of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland were interviewed to elicit their perceptions and experiences of engaging in adult safeguarding assessment processes and their views about models of assessment. Findings This study identified considerable variation in and between the nations under review, in terms of the assessment frameworks and tools used in adult safeguarding practice. To a large extent, the assessment frameworks and tools in use were not evidence based or accredited. Participants acknowledged the value of using assessment frameworks and tools whilst also identifying barriers in undertaking effective assessments. Originality/value There is limited evidence available in the literature regarding the utility of assessment frameworks and tools in adult safeguarding practice. This primary research identifies four themes derived from professional’s experiences of using such frameworks and identifies broader recommendations for policy and practice in this area.

A qualitative study of adult protection procedures: threshold screening of new referrals by designated adult safeguarding practitioners

“…While there has been research into elder abuse screening tools (Gallione et al , 2017; Blundell et al , 2020; Burnes et al , 2021), this study did not uncover any specific method or process that was being applied by the respondents. The absence of a bespoke safeguarding assessment tool has been highlighted in more recent studies (Doyle et al , 2023), and there is a reliance instead on generic assessments, adapted models and service user-specific tools. However, when collating the responses to the vignettes used in this study, it was possible to see similarities in the threshold screening outcomes, despite the apparent lack of application of a clinical decision-making process or assessment methodology.…”

Safeguarding carers: literature review on what is known about carers who are abused by the people they provide care for

“…This SAR identified that although the unpaid family carers were providing necessary care for other adults, they were not offered carers' assessments as required by the Care Act 2014 (Robson, 2023). Further, Doyle et al (2023) research, which focused on assessment frameworks and tools used in safeguarding adults practice in the UK, identified a number of barriers to carrying out effective assessments. Such barriers include a lack of professional curiosity, excessive workloads, challenges inherent in interagency, multi-professional work and information sharing.…”

“…This latter aspect very much concurs with the making safeguarding personal approach already discussed above. Doyle et al (2023) provide a synopsis of the range of assessment tools and frameworks (25 in total) used in the UK and Ireland safeguarding adult processes, which those interested in this subject area might find useful. Holt and Birchall (2022) urge social care practitioners to engage in effective risk assessment, whilst also taking a traumainformed approach.…”

Financial harm in the context of adult protection: the complexity of factors influencing joint decision-making

“…Although the terms “inter-agency” and “multi-agency” appear to be interchangeable, the Code of Practice refers to both, in respect of interagency referral discussions and multi-agency decisions (2022). However, “multi” refers to shared aims across partnerships with single agency guidance and processes (Dixon et al, 2022), whereas interagency refers to collaborative working with multi-disciplinary agencies (Doyle et al , 2023). This is significant for the delivery of safer and effective services (Rogers et al, 2020) to ensure a full understanding of the needs of adults at risk (Preston-Shoot, 2019).…”