Covid guidance on Mental Capacity Act and DoLS withdrawn
The government has withdrawn guidance on practice in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) during the pandemic. The change means care homes and hospitals (known as “managing authorities” under DoLS) will no longer be able to use the two-page form created specifically for Covid-19 to make an urgent authorisation to deprive a person of their liberty for seven days, without oversight by the relevant council (“supervisory body”).
Managing authorities must now submit the seven-page form that includes their application for a standard authorisation when making an urgent authorisation. For more information visit the Gov.uk website
How creativity has been key for social workers in safeguarding adults during Covid
Research funded by the Health Foundation and led by researchers at Keele University found that practitioners have used creative techniques to overcome the barriers to relationship-based safeguarding practice that Covid and lockdowns have thrown up.
Covid-19, and the response to the pandemic, has presented extraordinary challenges to the care sector. The research sheds light on how creativity has played the biggest role in continuing adult safeguarding practice within the constraints of the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Evidence shows that referrals for adult safeguarding referrals dropped early on during the pandemic, followed by a jump exceeding ordinary levels and an overall increase in referrals from previous years.
Moreover, there have also been particular concerns about the extent to which ‘hidden’ forms of harms such as financial abuse, domestic violence and self-neglect were being exacerbated by lockdowns and, consequently, how visible they were for adult safeguarding teams.
Resident-to-resident harm in care homes and other residential settings: a scoping review
This report from Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) aims to explore resident-to-resident harm in care homes, also referred to as resident-to-resident abuse.
The report aims to identify current research, policy and practice about resident-to-resident abuse in care homes. The report explores:
Definitions and types of resident-to-resident abuse
Prevalence of resident-to-resident abuse
Risk factors for resident-to-resident abuse
Prevention of and interventions for resident-to-resident abuse
Research gaps
Potential case studies
Whilst this report focuses on care homes, we recognise that harm can occur between people who use services in other settings such as day services.
Charities launch guide on adapting talking therapies for autistic children and adults
Mind and the National Autistic Society have published a new guide to help professionals working with autistic adults dealing with anxiety, depression and loneliness.
The new good practice guide, funded by the Pears Foundation, sets out how often simple adjustments and adaptations to talking therapies (which are used widely by the NHS) can make a huge difference to autistic people.
Safeguarding Adults Week Free Seminar "The Power of Language" Friday 19th November 2021
This free seminar as part of Safeguarding Adults Week will be exploring how using appropriate language can promote inclusion both with other professionals and the people you support.
This seminar is relevant to people working across a range of sectors from sport and activity, health and social care, education, the third sector and beyond.
For further details and to book your place click here
