Partnership means protection? Perceptions of the effectiveness of multi‐agency working and the regulatory framework within adult protection in England and Wales

Abstract

This article examines the effectiveness of the multi-agency approach in adult protection and draws on findings from research that examined the effectiveness of both partnership working and perceptions of the regulatory framework to protect vulnerable adults. The research findings were collected through the use of a survey of all local councils with social services responsibilities in England and Wales. Examples of good practice in partnership working were found. However, resource pressures, insufficient information sharing and a lack of clarity about roles and responsibilities were reported to hinder a multi-agency approach.

Safeguarding adults at risk in the NHS through inter‐agency working

“…Harbottle's (2007) study of partnership working in safeguarding highlighted ''lack of professional trust'' and recommended that the way forward was multi-agency training. This conclusion is echoed in research carried out for the DoH (Perkins et al, 2007) where barriers to partnership working included lack of clarity of roles, insufficient information sharing and delays in decision making. Again, multi-agency training is recommended as well as raising the profile of safeguarding on both local and national levels.…”

“…Multi-agency partnership working in adult protection became part of the national policy agenda during the 1990s, in part as a result of scandals and inquiries (Perkins et al, 2007). Services developed interagency policies.…”

Interagency safeguarding adults training for protection and prevention

“…It is because the level required of both health and social care professionals is either inadequate or is not geared towards interagency working. The lack of commitment by agencies is probably responsible for most healthcare professionals only undergoing very basic awareness safeguarding adult training (Perkins et al, 2007). This inadequate level of professional healthcare training also fails to cover contemporary policies and legal developments, resulting in a lack of knowledge about such aspects of safeguarding adults as early identification of symptoms, preventative measures, consideration of the subject's familiar context and of various communication strategies and judgment as to when to involve other agencies.…”

The Secret Curriculum

“…The answer is multi-faceted. The perceived weakness of the legislation (Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 in the United Kingdom) and difficulties experienced when trying to use it combine to ensure that it has minimal impact (Perkins et al 2007). Perceptions of powerlessness, dependence on supervisors for positive assessments, and fear of criticism or blame (Banks 2005; Rodie 2008) may act as deterrents.…”