A national survey of adult safeguarding in NHS mental health services in England and Wales

Abstract

Background

Following the introduction of the No Secrets (Department of Helath, (2000). No Secrets: Guidance on Developing and Implementing Multi-agency Policies and Procedures to Protect Vulnerable Adults from Abuse. London: HMSO) guidance, the implementation and development of adult safeguarding practices and procedures across national services has become an ongoing endeavour. Despite existing research highlighting practice improvements in many services, NHS mental health services are persistently criticised for their lack of engagement with the national adult safeguarding agenda (. Safeguarding Adults: Report on the Consultation on the Review of ‘No Secrets’. London: HMSO).

Aim

To investigate the organisational structure, implementation and development of adult safeguarding in NHS mental health services.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was distributed on-line to 79 (72 NHS Mental Health Trusts in England and seven Health Boards in Wales) NHS mental health services.

Results

Thirty-three completed surveys were returned, yielding a response rate of 41%. The results highlight adequate arrangements for adult safeguarding in many services; however, it appears implementation is in its initial stages. Responses suggest that staff attitudes and uptake of training are the greatest barrier to practice; however, barriers are also indicated at a strategic and operational level.

Conclusion

The importance of adult safeguarding must be recognised at all levels and there is an immediate need for improvement to staff training and engagement to ensure future effective practice in this area.

Keywords:

• adult safeguarding practices
• mental health
• service provision

Notes

Please note referral data breakdown, was incomplete, such that 1820 referrals were not accounted for by type of service and CASSR (NASCIS, 2010).

See Appendix 1 for a detailed outline of the structure of adult safeguarding substantive posts.

See Appendix 2 for a detailed outline of roles that contribute to adult safeguarding practice.

(strongly disagree) to 3 (somewhat disagree).

(somewhat agree) to 6 (strongly agree).

Positive rating  =  from 4 (somewhat agree) to 6 (strongly agree); negative rating  =  from 1 (strongly disagree) to 3 (somewhat disagree).