Safeguarding individuals

1
Safeguarding individuals
The following are suggested answers for each of
the case studies. Some are based on real
incidents. Enid and George This is a form of
psychological abuse. The way in which the care
assistant speaks to the two elderly residents is
demeaning she is not treating them with dignity
and is not showing them the respect they deserve.
This is a real situation and the residential home
was told to improve its treatment of the
residents by the local Inspection unit. Staff
were sent on training courses.
2
Safeguarding individuals
Christy This is a form of neglect. Christys
parents were not meeting her medical needs.
Christy was placed on the Child Protection
register and was eventually moved to a foster
home after a series of non-accidental injuries
including cigarette burns.
3
Safeguarding individuals
Alan This is psychological and financial. The
care assistant, Sandra, was not implementing the
care values in her treatment of Alan. She
physically mistreated him and by taking control
of his finances, was not allowing him to be
independent. Alan was assigned a new care
assistant and Sandra was asked to attend further
training.
4
Safeguarding individuals
Ryan This is a difficult example because
everyone has the right to follow their own
religion. This is supported by the care value,
Promoting Anti-discriminatory Practice. However,
because Ryan is considered to be too young to
make a decision about his welfare, the medical
profession decided that this was a case of
neglect of Ryans medical needs. The local Social
Services department took out a Care Order on
Ryan which meant they could override his parents
decision not to allow him to have a blood
transfusion.
5
Safeguarding individuals
Mrs Patel This is an example of verbal abuse on
the grounds of racism and harassment. However,
when the warden investigated further, the
neighbour was also discovered to have sexually
assaulted Mrs Patel. The neighbour was found
guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to five
years in prison.
6
Safeguarding individuals
Michael This may be an example of emotional and
sexual abuse. Michaels father is breaking the
law by showing him films and playing computer
games with him that are not intended for his age.
The affect of viewing inappropriate material is
having a clear effect on Michael. It can be
traumatic for a child to witness violence and
sexual scenes at an age where understanding is
limited. Research is split into those who see a
link between watching violent films and an
increase in aggressive behaviour and those who
feel there is no proven link. This case was not
referred but left to Michaels mother to talk to
his father.
7
Safeguarding individuals
Amelia To a certain extent this is emotional
abuse and neglect. Emotional because Amelia is
being left to care for two young children this
is actually against the law. It is also a form of
neglect as the needs of all three children are
not being met. This is a hypothetical case and so
no action was taken. In a real situation the
parent would be advised to arrange for suitable
childcare and the family would be monitored to
ensure that the correct action was taken.
8
Safeguarding individuals
Becky This is emotional abuse. Simon is
controlling Becky and not allowing her to make
decisions for herself. This type of behaviour
often, but not always, results in some form of
domestic violence or sexual abuse. Becky needs
some help to become more assertive so she can
stand up to Simon.