Editorial

Journal of Adult Protection, The, May 2006 by Kingston, Paul

It is an unfortunate fact that agencies who offer services to adults continue to deal with allegations of abuse and mistreatment within the confines of their organisations: often through the complaints or disciplinary process. What is most disturbing is agencies investigating such behaviours even in situations where potential criminal behaviour is alleged. Steve West's paper offers a range of reasons for such behaviour and then presents eight persuasive reasons why the multiagency adult protection approach adds to the single agency approach in situations of abuse.

The role of the police in alleged situations of abuse is also paramount. However, the evidence suggests that the police require ongoing educations in such situations. Rachel Davies and colleagues report on a research study that interviewed the four designated police officers within the four police authorities in Wales, alongside focus groups of police officers. The key themes that emerged are, structure for abuse work, joint investigator training, understanding the needs of people with learning disabilities, the legislative context for abuse work and sharing good practice and striving for a consistent response.

Asset management has had little attention in the adult protection literature. Anne-Louise McCawley and colleagues report on a research study in Australia that analysed files from the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal of Queensland. It is not surprising that they found that changes to the present system of asset management were required. This included education, monitoring and intervening in the financial abuse of older people. This paper is timely given the new mental capacity legislation in the UK.

The final paper in this edition considers the views of those living and working in private care homes in England about a range of issues connected to inspection, regulation and ways to better protect older people. One of the key findings suggests that managers are reluctant to report allegations of abuse due to the fear that this might damage the reputation of the home. Somehow we need to make policy makers aware that education and proactive working in the adult protection area should actually increase the number of cases found, and this proactive approach is desirable.

Two new pieces of legislation are currently under discussion in parliament. First, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill and second, the Care of Older and Incapacitated People (Human Rights) Bill. Both aim to enhance the protection of vulnerable adults - further information is available from the following website: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldbills/079/en/06079x-.htm

Paul Kingston