This article reports on the findings of the inspections and consultations undertaken as part of the evaluation of the National Service Framework for Older People. It focuses on what was found about the implementation of adult protection systems, by synthesising the inspectors' findings, drawing...

One effect of the policy of deinstitutionalisation has been to increase police contact with people, who are experiencing the effects of acute mental illness. Policy documents such as Home Office circular 66/90 recognise that adults with mental health problems are especially vulnerable within the...

2007 marks a major step forward in the history of adult protection with the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act in England and Wales. Understandably, debates about adult protection have usually focused on the more obvious types of abuse ‐ sexual, physical, financial and emotional. The...

Varying definitions and conceptualisations of violence in old age exist within and between the scientific community, medical and social work professionals, family carers and the elderly persons themselves. In this paper it is argued ‐ and illustrated by examples ‐ that each of the different...

Although there has been a commitment to develop a policy framework to support vulnerable adults at risk of abuse, there remains concern around its lack of use within National Health Service inpatient settings and mental health services in particular. A gap between policy and practice appears to...

Whistle‐blowing is the act of speaking out about wrongdoing in the workplace. Adults with learning disabilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse, and care staff play an important role in witnessing and reporting such abuse. This paper explores the experience of whistle‐blowing on abuse...