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Communities and Partnership: Bijan Ebrahimi (Multi-Agency Partnership…
Communities and Partnership: Bijan Ebrahimi
Multi-Agency Partnership became a statutory requirement for local government in England with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Critique of Multi-Agency Collaboration
Different professionals and agencies hold inconsistent interpretations of the scope and threshold of adult abuse and implications of labelling adults as 'vulnerable' (Stevens. 2013)
All agencies need a clear understanding of their role in safeguarding adults (Perkin et al. 2007) regardless of whether this is in a proactive or reactive role.
Information sharing continues to be problematic as not only do demands of the Data Protection Act 1998 need to be considered- relevant agencies need access to appropriate information in a timely manner because features of effective inter-agency working could be undermined by poor information sharing (Reid et al. 2009)
Poor communication between agencies has been cited as a major contributory factor to failures in maintaining the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.
Empowerment of service-users is fundamental to safeguarding practices. Allen and Brodzinski (2009) recognise public sector organisations are operating in a risk averse environment in which this need for empowerment is balanced against reducing the risk to the safety of service-users.
Dilemmas of how far to empower a service-user without intervening in risk-taking behaviours whilst working in a society and culture where there is aversion to risk.
Issues in defining abuse:
No Secrets: ' A violation of an individual's human and civil rights by another person or persons'
Broad enough to encompass a wide-range of actions or inactions, using this as the threshold for determining abuse maybe problematic as certain circumstances may be open to subjective interpretation or debate as to whether the human rights of a vulnerable adult have been violated .
Different professionals may interpret these terms inconsistently and without the government issuing a further definition or clarification over these terms, the threshold may remain unclear.
Example: Article 3 Human Rights Act 1998: Right not to be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
'Degrading Treatment' are not clearly defined or absolute, alternative interpretation may ensue.
Brown (2010) states the concept of 'vulnerability' can be criticised as applying this label may increase the likelihood of it becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Individuals may be treated as unable to make decisions and thus become disempowered by practitioners labelling them as 'vulnerable'
Social construction of 'vulnerability' contributes negative connotations
Decision Avoidance?
Death of Fiona Pilkington led to an investigation where it was found the Police failed to act on evidence of abuse of a vulnerable adult.
Agencies must work together to protect vulnerable adults. The Police are responsible when crimes are alleged and each agency performs its own role in safeguarding vulnerable adults