Vulnerable Groups

Question 1

Define an Adult at risk?

Answer 1

Unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests
At risk of harm
AND because affected by a disability, mental disorder, illness or other infirmity are more vulnerable to harm than other adults

Question 2

List some common risk factors for abuse?

Answer 2

LAck of mental capacity
Age
PHysically dependant on others
H/o abuse
Low self esteem
-ve experiences disclosing abuse in the past
Social isolation
Lacking access to health/social care

Question 3

What are the 6 pillars of safeguarding vulnerable adults?

Answer 3

Empowerment
Protection
Prevention
Proportionality
Partnership
Accountability

Question 4

Heres some tips for managing the conversation with the abusee:

Answer 4

• Ensure the alleged abuser is absent
• May be helpful to have a trusted individual with them
• provide support for them to express themselves e.g. an interpreter
• Be clear what will happen to the info they disclose
• Establish the facts
• Acknowledge the impact on the victim

Question 5

Who should report to?

Answer 5

The local safeguarding service

If theres significant short term risk of harm call the police

Question 6

What are some of the common consequences of child abuse?

Answer 6

• Physical injury
• Feeling’s of worthlessness or guilt
• Trouble regulating emotions
• Substance abuse
• Lack of trust/relationship issues

Question 7

It’s important to undestand that in many cases abuse is not intentional, when might this be?

Answer 7

• Parent was a victim of abuse/neglect and doesn’t know any better
• Parent genuinely believes they are just disciplining their kid
• Parent is unable to care for the child leading to neglect, due to physical or mental illness as well as substance abuse

Question 8

What might indicate a parent’s disciplining of their child is too far?

Answer 8

1) Its unpredictable - the child is walking on eggshells, unsure what will set the parent off
2) Parent lashes out in anger instead of trying to educate their child
3) Parent intentionally uses fear to keep their child in line

Question 9

Children who are victims of sexual abuse experience a lot of shame and guilt. What are the consequences of this?

Answer 9

• Self loathing, relationship and sexual problems as they age
• Makes it very hard for kids to come forward

Question 10

Think of some warning behaviors that might indicate emotional abuse of a child?

Answer 10

• Excessively afraid of doing something wrong
• Extreme behavior (e.g. totally compliant or overly aggressive)
• Not attached to caregiver
• Inappropriately adult or infantile

Question 11

Think what signs might make you worried a child is experiencing physical abuse?

Answer 11

• Frequent injuries
• Patterened injuries
• Always watchful & on edge
• Shys from ouch and flinches at sudden movements
• Doesn’t want to go home
• Suspicious clothing (E.g. long sleeves on hot days)

Question 12

What signs might make you think a child is being neglected?

Answer 12

• Bad hygiene
• Ill fitting, dirty or innapropriate clothing
• Untreated illness/injury
• Frequently unsupervised
• Missing school

Question 13

What signs in the parent would make you think they might be at risk of abusing their child (intentionally or not):

Answer 13

1) Substance abuse
2) Domestic violence
3) Untreated mental illness
4) Lack of parenting skills (teens, victims of abuse etc)
5) Stress/lack of support e.g. single working parents

Question 14

Heres some tips for reporting suspected abuse:

Answer 14

• Be as specific as possible about what you observed
• Keep full written records
• Continue reporting if you see more
• It’s not on you to prove it
• Discuss your concerns with colleagues and the GP