Views sought on new review process for adult abuse cases
7 Apr 2014 03:17 PM
A consultation has begun
to seek views on a new guidance to improve the arrangements for reviewing and
learning from cases of adult abuse and neglect
This work will complement the
new adult protection legal framework being introduced through the Social
Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill.
The proposed arrangements for
Adult Protection Reviews have taken into consideration the format of the Child
Practice Reviews that were introduced to replace Serious Case Reviews, and how
this might be applied in an adult social care context.
Draft guidance has been
developed and discussed extensively with practitioners, from local authorities,
health, police, care services and the social services inspectorate
(CSSIW).
The draft guidance is being
tested out by three Safeguarding Adults Boards which currently need to
undertake serious case reviews and a fourth review is being considered. This
experience will be considered during the drafting of the framework for the
reviews, along with any submissions received during a 12-week consultation
period.
Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister
for Social Services, said:
“Abuse and neglect of
adults is totally unacceptable and I am determined to do all I can to safeguard
vulnerable people in Wales. When abuse does take place however, it is vital
that there is an effective system to review what has happened and to learn from
the experience so that our multi-agency protection arrangements can be
improved.
“We have developed an
innovative review framework to improve the culture of learning from adult
protection cases.
“This is an important
shift in culture that allows practitioners to reflect and learn from positive
circumstances as well as being open, honest and transparent when things have
gone wrong."