Exploring the complexities of understanding vulnerability and adult safeguarding within Christian faith organisations

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to report the findings from a study exploring the understanding of vulnerability and adult safeguarding within Christian faith based settings. The article concludes with recommendations for practitioners involved in safeguarding adults in faith based Christian settings.Design/methodology/approach -The paper considers a survey (n=3182) into understanding of vulnerability and adult safeguarding for individuals who attend Church regularly or work in a Christian organisationFindings -This paper is the first to be undertaken with a UK sample and highlights a range of factors informing adult safeguarding practice within Christian organisations. This includes:-complexity linked to understanding vulnerability and its role in safeguarding activity; lack of clarity about what to do with a safeguarding adult concern, and the need for safeguarding training pertinent to the particular needs of faith based settings. Research limitations/implications -As there is currently a dearth of research in this area this paper makes a valuable contribution to the developing knowledge base around safeguarding and vulnerability within faith based organisations.Practical implications -Professionals need to develop increased understanding of the complexities involved in safeguarding activity, and specifically how those working in the wider context of supporting vulnerable adults make sense of safeguarding processes and procedures. Social implications -It is important that all organisations, including faith based settings, workingwith adults have an understanding of their roles and responsibilities with respect to safeguarding those at risk of harm.Originality -This paper is the first UK study to consider safeguarding adults at risk of harm in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 ) and 'adults at risk of harm' which have been used interchangeably within adult safeguarding practice. This paper will focus on some of the complexity which impacts upon understandings of vulnerability and adults of risk of harm within Christian faith based settings.It is anticipated that future work will expand into other faith groups. DefinitionsAs our understanding of safeguarding adults has developed the terms and definitions used to describe adults who are or may be at risk of abuse or harm have similarly changed.Under the Care Act 2014 and the accompanying Care and Support Statutory Guidance (2014:13-14) the concept of promoting wellbeing for adults includes 'protection from abuse and neglect'.Whereas in the safeguarding arena for children there has been inter-agency guidance since the late 1990's, the latest version being Working Together to Safeguard Children (2013), there has not been any similar multi-agency safeguarding guidance related to adult protection on a statutory footing.Under the Care Act 2014 local authorit...

Spiritual abuse in Christian faith settings: definition, policy and practice guidance

“…In a previous paper focussed on "safeguarding adults in the Christian faith context" some of the authors explored the broader safeguarding law and policy for adults and the implications for Christian contexts (Oakley et al, 2016). It was argued that Department of Health (2014) embedded a person-centred approach which promotes safeguarding as "every body's business" (Romeo, 2015, p. 206) which demands both individuals and organisations to work together to prevent harm.…”

“…Part of this response is in recognising the "making safeguarding personal" (MSP) guidance (Local Government Association (LGA), 2015) which promotes partnership working to empower adults to operate choice and control in safeguarding matters. MSP changes the emphasis from an individual as "vulnerable" to one who is key in the safeguarding process (Oakley et al, 2016).…”

“…Christian faith agencies offer a multitude of services and support to adults in addition to regular worship meetings. In our previous paper recommendations were made for the development of "robust safeguarding policies and practice" in faith contexts in order to safeguard adults who attend (Oakley et al, 2016). This discussion of SA occurs within this wider safeguarding context.…”