Post‐abuse Training for Staff Working with Adults at Risk – from Investigation to Safeguards

Citation

Cambridge, P. (2012), "Post‐abuse Training for Staff Working with Adults at Risk – from Investigation to Safeguards", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 14 No. 5, pp. 248-250. https://doi.org/10.1108/14668201211280657

This new pack is targeted on a critical area of competence in safeguarding vulnerable adults work. For over 12 years, local authorities and their partner agencies have been building adult protection systems and fine‐tuning their skills in planning and conducting investigations. Detective and protective work constitute important strands of most investigations, although very demanding and complex investigations, such as those relating to institutional abuse or where criminal acts are alleged, require immediate attention to uncover the nature and extent of abuse and to hold individuals and organisations to account. Moreover, it is an understanding of such characteristics and conditions which helps inform protective and corrective actions as well as post‐abuse work with vulnerable adult victims and support for carers. Yet evidence suggests that our safeguarding responses are often inequitable within and between authorities, with my research on adult protection referrals pointing to variable local support for victims and perpetrators of adult abuse, to the particular risks and support needs faced by women and men with learning disabilities to sexual abuse and to the complex relationships between intermediate outcomes, such as the nature of investigations and the agencies and individuals involved in them, and final outcomes, such as post abuse work with victims (Cambridge et al., 2011a, b). Such connections are an integral part of the design and function of this pack helping ensure the training is embedded in a wider understanding of adult protection systems, processes and competence. For example, case studies of individuals, services and organisations and ranking exercises and quizzes are deployed to help scrutinise and unpack different safeguarding scenarios and discuss different intervention strategies. The use of guest speakers is also suggested and the mix of methods employed will help ensure participants develop skills in critical analysis, reflection and interpretation, whilst drawing on their own experiences and locating their work in policy and theory.

This strength should not surprise us given the track record of Pavilion Publishing in producing training packs which address pressing and cutting edge management and practice issues in social care and the prominence and experience of the two authors. Hilary Brown brings a depth of experience from research and development in adult safeguarding, having co‐developed some of the most important landmark training resources in the field (AIMS, 1998, 1999; Thompson and Brown, 1998), experience of chairing serious case reviews (Brown, 2009) and having investigated very challenging adult protection issues such as the murder of adults with disabilities (Brown, 2012). Jay Aylett imports her experience of developing, commissioning and delivering adult safeguarding training for Kent and Medway (Aylett, 2009), her experience of vulnerability and risk as a mental health practitioner and researcher and her understanding of the function of abuse inquiries (Aylett, 2008). The combination of such formidable forces often results in destruction, although I am pleased to report that in this instance it has lead to the creation of an extraordinarily rich and powerful training resource which is embedded in management and practice experience as well as an understanding of policy, theory and evidence. Accompanying slides provide key contextual observations, with more detailed notes providing additional interpretations for trainers to draw on at the beginning of each of the three days of the training programme.

The material in this training pack has been thoughtfully organised and presented to make it easy to use for trainers and immediate and clear for participants, being based on a sequence of sessions. The use of the training materials is very well explained and the material themselves clearly signposted through introduction, instructions and joining information sections which provide practical guidance on the timing and organisation of sessions, piloting and familiarisation with the materials. Considerations such as co‐training and the use of guest speakers, the application of training devices such as the exercises and quizzes, learning objectives, methods of working and suggestions for evaluation are covered, with outline programmes provided. In short, the pack offers a framework of value to experienced trainers, with detailed prescriptions which less experienced trainers will find invaluable. This suggests a quality training experience and the potential to maximise participation and learning opportunities.

The main body of the training pack contains six main sections each with numbered sessions. I recommend that trainers carefully read through these materials and associated guidance in order to fully familiarise themselves with the thematic connections between and across sessions. This will position trainers to effectively navigate and utilise the pack, as there is no explicit chronological ordering of materials. Essentially, the training is crafted around 12 detailed case studies across mental health, learning disability and older people which are used to identify and unpack a collection of issues relevant to planning and undertaking a range of post‐abuse interventions. For example, the case studies are introduced on day 1 and employed across the three days. There are summary matrices for the case studies, three ranking exercises for each day to assist with the analysis and interpretation of case material, facilitating the consideration of issues such as culpability, risk management, service and staff failures and systemic factors. Legal quizzes provide an important underpinning for participants' knowledge of the law, again linked to case material. The accompanying DVD provides useful electronic copies of the material in the pack and includes power‐point presentations of the slides.

I count myself as exceptionally fortunate in being given an inspection copy of this pack. Otherwise I would have purchased one, not only to employ directly in my training, but because there are some excellent resources, ideas and methods which have potential application in different training and educational contexts, including teaching in health and social care and social work. I think the price of £135 represents exceptional value for money and I am confident that the pack will become a frequently utilised at hand resource for trainers and educators working in adult safeguarding. The expectation is that it will help develop staff competence and capability for what has been a relatively neglected area of adult safeguarding practice and at a time when safeguarding demands are increasing and resources diminishing.