bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A literature review of family interventions for dual diagnosis: implications for forensic mental health services
Authors: Richards Margaret , Doyle Mike , Cook Peter
Published: August 2011

Dual‐diagnosis strategies are developing in medium secure services in response to both government policies and clinical need and there has been a move towards integrated services for this patient group. Substance use that has been a feature of the index offence must be taken into account as much as psychosis or the offending behaviour. Treatment of dual diagnosis relies heavily on cognitive‐behavioural therapies. Relapse in either psychosis or substance use increases risk and re‐admission rates to medium security. This paper reviews the literature on family interventions in dual diagnosis and its applicability to forensic mental health inpatient services. As there appeared to be limited direct evidence, various domains were examined and extrapolated to a forensic setting as appropriate. The review indicates the potential for positive outcomes for families following family interventions in dual diagnosis, which may be beneficial in a forensic setting in lowering risk.
Positive psychology and forensic clients: applications to relapse prevention in offending behaviour interventions
Authors: Gredecki Neil , Turner Polly
Published: August 2011

Traditionally, the focus in psychology has been to relieve suffering in matters such as mental illness. In forensic interventions, the focus has been similar, with an emphasis on the removal of offence‐related behaviours and thinking. That is, therapy has focused on ‘fixing’ what appears to be broken. More recent thinking in the positive psychology literature focuses on the importance of enhancing well‐being and happiness in clients and enhancing the client's own strengths and positive experiences. In turn, positive psychology adopts a strengths‐based approach to working therapeutically with clients. Positive psychology has a number of potential implications for working with forensic clients and the delivery of therapy and relapse prevention blocks. This paper will explores the potential application of positive psychology literature to offending behaviour interventions. Specifically, it focuses on the process of relapse‐prevention and self‐management, within the framework of the Self‐Regulation Model of the Relapse Process (SRM‐RP).
Adult Protection: an overview of research and policy
Authors: Brown Hilary , Kingston Paul , Wilson Barry
Published: August 2011

This paper considers the emergence of adult protection as a significant issue for health and welfare professionals. A range of definitions and dilemmas are considered alongside a comprehensive review of how abuse is manifested. A brief review of the latest research is followed by principles of good practice.
Service user abusers
Authors: Claydon Thelma
Published: August 2011

Adults can be abused by other clients who are utilising the same care services. This contribution describes how this particular problem could be managed in a variety of service settings. It is also argued that this particular form of abuse has itself been marginalised in work with vulnerable adults. The paper closes with a series of pertinent ethical, legal, procedural and operational issues that service providers need to consider.
The work of the UKCC Professional Conduct Committee
Authors: Wilson Barry , Bradshaw Richard
Published: August 2011

In relation to professional practice statutory regulation can form a key element in preventing the abuse of vulnerable adults. Here the role of the UK's regulatory body for nurses, midwives and health visitors is examined, with recent statistics showing that abuse of vulnerable adults is the foremost reason for professional de‐registration.
Tackling abuse of patients and clients ‐ the work of POPAN
Authors: Blunden Frances , Nash Jo
Published: August 2011

This paper describes the work of the Prevention of Professional Abuse Network (POPAN). Professional abuse is described with an analysis of the contacts the organisation has received. There is also an analysis of the nature of abuse described and the effects of abuse. The paper closes with a description of how POPAN helps clients complain and work towards prevention.
Financial abuse of older people
Authors: Walsh K. , Bennett G.
Published: August 2011

Financial abuse is widely recognised to be an important but under‐reported risk area for vulnerable adults, especially elderly people. This paper provides an introduction to relevant issues, indicators and remedies. It also highlights areas needing further attention both within the professional council and financial systems such as banking.
Learning from experience
Authors: Skinner Bob
Published: August 2011

At the core of raising awareness about adult protection lies the formidable task of introducing social and health care staff and others to what abuse is and what can be done about it. This is a task that may appear overwhelming in terms of numbers, time and cost. Here the lead training manager for East Sussex describes how one county has developed a multi‐agency programme of adult protection courses.
The Ann Craft Trust
Authors: Cooke Pamela , Kitson Deborah
Published: August 2011

As part of the Journal's series of profiles of UK organisations working in the field of vulnerable adults and adult abuse the work of the Ann Craft Trust (formerly NAPSAC) is outlined by it's Director and Co‐ordinator. As one of the UK's first campaigning and educational organisations for adult protection, the Trust can justifiably claim some credit for the upturn in awareness and policy development over the last decade.
Elder abuse and user involvement: strategic components
Authors: Slater Phil
Published: August 2011

Recent growth of concern relating to ‘elder abuse’ concurrent with recognition of the importance of user involvement has suggested a link between these two developments. Here, however, Phil Slater argues that generalised principles cannot generate blueprints for implementation. A concrete illustration of the general arguments is offered.
An evaluative research study of a specialist women's refuge
Authors: McCarthy Michelle
Published: August 2011

The research reported here examines the experiences of women with learning disabilities who have lived at the only specialist refuge available in this country. A full description of the specialist refuge is given and lessons drawn for other learning disability service providers. The importance of safe, women‐only space is emphasised.
Protecting vulnerable adults from sexual abuse
Authors: Brammer Alison
Published: August 2011

Here, the legal situation relating to sexual activity and people with reduced capacity is considered. From the starting point of one recent, contentious case, the column goes on to examine the current state of legal protection and intervention, and looks at how this could be improved by current developments and possible future changes.
A personal touch: managing the risks of abuse during intimate and personal care
Authors: Cambridge Paul , Carnaby Steven
Published: August 2011

This paper identifies considerations for managing the risks of abuse during intimate and personal care for people with learning disabilities and complex needs. Drawing on insights gleaned from research involving interviews with staff, policies and procedures in specialist day and residential services, and the development of a staff training resource, the paper identifies a framework for adult protection practice in this critical area of support.
A need for consistency: policy response to crime and abuse against people with learning disabilities
Authors: Evans Jane , Williams Christopher
Published: August 2011

Using data from a survey of social services departments, this paper looks at how local authorities are addressing the needs of people with learning disabilities for protection from crime and abuse within the context of adult protection developments. Previous research indicated that victimisation of this group was less likely to be treated seriously by key agencies. Here, the situation is reassessed.
Crossing the divide: the role of inspection units in protecting vulnerable adults
Authors: Stein June , Brown Hilary
Published: August 2011

The registration and inspection of residential care services for vulnerable adults rests with local government but in 2002 responsibility passes to the new Commission for Care Standards. This paper looks at how inspection units understand and respond to adult protection issues, considers how they contribute to multi‐agency adult protection and speculates on how the planned changes will impact on policy and practice.
Human Rights Act 1998: implications for adult protection
Authors: Brammer Alison
Published: August 2011

The recent incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into UK domestic law as the Human Rights Act 1998 is predicted to have a major impact on all aspects of life. Here, Alison Brammer provides a comprehensive overview of the Act and looks specifically at how it may affect adult protection policy and practice.
Managing aggression and violence in care settings: a review of the legal and ethical content of staff training courses
Authors: Beech Bernard
Published: August 2011

Staff must have an appreciation of legal and ethical issues associated with the people they care for, particularly when physical restraint to manage aggression or violence is being considered. This article examines legal and ethical issues related to the management of aggression and violence, and considers the inclusion of this material in training courses.
Institutional care for older people — the dark side
Authors: Juklestad Olaug
Published: August 2011

This paper looks at abuse of older people in institutions in Norway, using information and insights drawn from the author's own practice, newspaper articles and investigations carried out in nursing homes in 1994, 1999 and 2000. From these sources it is apparent that the use of force is widespread, although there is no legal basis for this. How Norway is responding to this worrying situation is examined.
Seeking effective approaches to elder abuse in institutional settings
Authors: Parker Jonathan
Published: August 2011

Although in recent years elder abuse has attracted considerable social and professional attention, it is still in the opinion of many a taboo subject. In this paper the author examines why this is the case and considers what has been learnt. In doing so he considers causation and predisposing factors and the modes of intervention available
Public Concern at Work: supporting public‐interest whistleblowing
Authors: van den Hende Robin
Published: August 2011

Public Concern at Work is the UK's leading charitable organisation promoting accountability and good practice in the workplace. It does this by helping ensure concerns about serious malpractice are properly raised and addressed before the public interest is harmed. Here PCaW's field worker looks specifically at the organisation's experience and role in the field of social care.
Adult protection in professional care services: the role of the employer
Authors: Quigley Leo
Published: August 2011

The characteristics and causes of adult abuse are under‐researched, so the opportunity to make recommendations for practice has been limited. Action to prevent or minimise abuse in care settings has to be informed by a reasoned view of causation if it is to be effective. This article describes a model of care quality and explores its relevance to abuse within professional care services.
Whistling in the wind? Constructions of whistleblowers in health and social care
Authors: Manthorpe Jill
Published: August 2011

This article explores a number of reported cases of whistleblowing. While this activity is encouraged and has been given certain legislative protection, the costs of whistleblowing evidently remain high. The article concludes that whistleblowing is unlikely to provide a stand‐alone protective framework against abuse, corruption and mistreatment because dynamics in health and social care often mitigate against criticism of powerful personalities and systems.
Establishing a protection committee in a campaigning organisation for deafblind people
Authors: Kiekopf Steve
Published: August 2011

Protection issues are a high priority for Sense, a specialist UK organisation working with people with deafblindness and associated disabilities. This paper reports on the setting up of a protection committee within Sense to advise the organisation on policy, practice and training issues.
Cosmetic surgery for people with learning disabilities: considerations for adult protection practice
Authors: Cambridge Paul
Published: August 2011

This paper explores the ethical issues surrounding the use of cosmetic surgery for and by people with learning disabilities. Although such interventions are less common in Britain than in the US, there is a growing interest in the use of cosmetic surgery to correct perceived defects in appearance and speech impairment. However, the assumed potential of cosmetic surgery brings adult protection concerns into stark relief.
Protecting vulnerable adults where they may be both victim and perpetrator
Authors: McKeough Carol , Knell‐Taylor Elizabeth
Published: August 2011

This paper discusses how Kent Social Services addresses situations in which one vulnerable adult abuses another. This can challenge professional competencies and open up services to outside investigation but, say the authors, a punitive approach will undermine efforts to ensure that abuse by service users is recognised and dealt with appropriately.
White collar crime: vulnerable women, predatory clergymen
Authors: Kennedy Margaret
Published: August 2011

This paper examines themes that emerge from supporting adults who have been sexually violated by Church ministers and clergy. The author suggests that despite obstacles put in place by churches of all denominations, victims are beginning to speak out.
Undue influence?
Authors: Brammer Alison
Published: August 2011

This legal column includes discussion of a recently decided Court of Appeal case relevant to vulnerable adults and a review of Fair Access to Care Services, the guidance on eligibility criteria for adult social care.
The sexual abuse of people with learning difficulties: the problem and possible solutions
Authors: Tarrant Alison
Published: August 2011

This article explores the law relating to the sexual abuse of people with learning difficulties and proposes a number of key changes that need to take place in order to offer people with learning difficulties greater protection from abuse.
The sexual abuse of people with learning difficulties: do we need a social model approach to vulnerability?
Authors: Wishart Guy
Published: August 2011

Many factors have been identified as being responsible for increasing the vulnerability of people with learning difficulties to sexual abuse. However, there has not been a great deal of debate about the term ‘vulnerability’. Here, an argument is developed that puts forward the case for a social model approach to understanding vulnerability, which avoids a focus on victim characteristics.
Abuse of adults with learning difficulties: user consultation in developing adult protection procedures and guidelines
Authors: Wishart Guy
Published: August 2011

This article reports the findings of a national survey of the consultation of people with learning difficulties by social services departments in the development of adult protection procedures and guidelines. The survey also considered the consultation of other service users, carers and family, and staff. Despite the rhetoric of user involvement in adult protection literature, low levels of consultation for people with learning difficulties were found.
Knowledge and attitudes of staff towards adult protection
Authors: Taylor Kate , Dodd Karen
Published: August 2011

Despite the introduction of Surrey‐wide vulnerable adults policies and procedures, monitoring figures from the Surrey Adult Protection Committee indicate that abuse is still being under‐reported for different service user groups. This study explored staff knowledge and attitudes towards abuse and the reporting procedure to further understand why abuse is not reported.
Social services' progress in implementing No Secrets ‐ an analysis of codes of practice
Authors: Sumner Keith
Published: August 2011

This article reports on an analysis of local authority codes of practice for the protection of vulnerable adults. The research focused on three main areas of requirements and recommendations identified in No Secrets. The findings reveal emerging trends that indicate a strong commitment to some areas of good practice, but the many exceptions suggest there is no room for complacency.
The victim's voice: how is it heard? Issues arising from adult protection case conferences
Authors: Jeary Katharine
Published: August 2011

This paper reports findings from a recent study of adult protection case conferences, focusing on how the victim's views may be represented or heard.
Home or hell: older tenants' experiences in the private rented sector
Authors: Fear Tina , Carlton Nancy , Heywood Frances , Izuhara Misa , Pannell Jenny , Means Robin
Published: August 2011

Issues raised here are drawn from the findings of a housing investigation that explored harassment and abuse of older tenants in the private rented sector. The project examined older people's experiences and raised important links between health and housing. The article highlights financial abuse directed towards these older people and examines implications for professionals and agencies.
Initial conclusions on the design and validation of the ‘Inadequate Treatment Detection Scale’ for elders
Authors: Touza Carmen , Segura M , Prado Carmen
Published: August 2011

The pilot study described here is part of a domestic elder abuse detection project developed by a social services team in Madrid. The project's fundamental objective is to validate a scale for detecting domestic abuse and self‐neglect that can be used by social workers. A pilot study with a sample of 34 elders was conducted to determine the detection scale's response format and contents.
A multi‐method study on elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes
Authors: Goergen Thomas
Published: August 2011

This study provides data on elder abuse and neglect in German nursing homes. It uses a multimethod approach to analyse conditions leading to abusive and neglectful behaviour.
Refugees and asylum seekers as a group at risk of adult abuse
Authors: Williams Lucy
Published: August 2011

This paper aims to raise awareness of the vulnerability of some refugees to various forms of abuse. It will relate the forms of abuse described in No Secrets to the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in general and will then focus on three groups of refugees who may be especially vulnerable. Recommendations to reduce the vulnerability of refugees are included.
The role of the doctor in the institutional abuse of older people: a psychodynamic perspective
Authors: Garner Jane
Published: August 2011

This paper considers the doctor's role in unravelling the causes of abuse of older people. The author argues that doctors have a responsibility to understand and address the ageism, ignorance and unthinking which lies is at the root of most institutional abuse.
Learning from Rowan ward ‐ developing an audit tool to improve the systems and processes for quality of care and safety of service users
Authors: Butler Tom
Published: August 2011

A report by the Commission for Health Improvement into alleged poor care provided the stimulus for the development of an audit tool in a strategic health authority to assess and improve systems and processes of care.
Why it took so long to expose the abusive regime at Longcare
Authors: Pring John
Published: August 2011

In 1994, a leaked Buckinghamshire County Council report revealed that, for more than 10 years, former social worker Gordon Rowe had been beating, raping and neglecting the adults with learning difficulties who lived in the residential homes run by his company, Longcare. This paper explains how Rowe's regime was able to continue undetected for so long.
The impact of a vulnerable adult protection policy on the psychological and emotional well‐being of adults with a learning disability
Authors: Bruder Corinna , Kroese Biza , Bland Sarah
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how the proceedings of a vulnerable adult protection policy is understood by referrers to affect the psychological and emotional well‐being of adults with a learning disability. During the research process seven referrers of vulnerable adults discussed twelve different cases in in‐depth interviews. The interviews and matching case notes of protection meetings released by social services were analysed by the application of grounded theory techniques. The result is a model that highlights how appraisals of the experience the emotional and behavioural reactions of the vulnerable adults are shaped by the nature of the abuse, the actions taken by protection meetings, the expectations of the vulnerable adults and the availability of support.
Elder abuse, adult protection and social care: developments in New Labour policy
Authors: Slater Phil
Published: August 2011

The Green Paper's vision for the future of adult social care confirms New Labour's subsumption of the specific social problem of ‘elder abuse’ under a generic adult protection strategy, explicitly located within an overarching policy and legislative framework of social care generally.
Psychiatric injustice? The therapeutic presumption of behaviour management in mental health law
Authors: Keywood Kirsty
Published: August 2011

There are a great many people with mental health problems receiving treatments that are aimed primarily at managing aggressive or challenging behaviours by means of sedation, seclusion or restraint. The management of these behaviours is frequently justified under Part IV of the Mental Health Act 1983, which permits treatments ‐ without consent if necessary ‐ for a person's mental disorder. Alternatively, the behaviours have been managed at common law on the basis that the patient is incapable of giving a legally effective consent to behaviour management and the interventions are considered to be in the person's best interests. This article considers the management of difficult behaviours in adults with mental health problems. This issue is particularly timely as there have been a considerable number of legal challenges in this area in recent years. This article reviews the practical contexts in which behaviour management, which here covers sedation, seclusion and restraint, is used with adults with mental health problems and explores the legal justifications for these interventions. Although the justification for the management of challenging behaviours is frequently asserted (or, more likely, presumed) to be therapeutic, a review of the research literature and recent case law casts doubt on the credibility of this therapeutic justification.
Protecting patients' rights: future regulation and monitoring of the Mental Health Act
Authors: Patel Kamlesh
Published: August 2011

The draft Mental Health Bill 2004 proposes transfer of the main monitoring functions of the Mental Health Act Commission (MHAC) to the Healthcare Commission (or in practice whatever body succeeds the Healthcare Commission) with the abolition of the MHAC on implementation of the Bill when enacted. This paper describes the present role and remit of the Mental Health Act Commission, outlines the government's strategy on inspection and regulation and identifies the importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable adults and children with mental disorders. The reasons for retaining independent scrutiny and inspection of mental health services are explored and structures and mechanisms that might assist in achieving an effective regulatory environment are proposed.
Joining up adult protection and the disciplinary process
Authors: West Steve
Published: August 2011

Behaviour that is in fact adult abuse may be reported through a number of different frameworks (for example complaints procedures and incident reporting procedures) without it being realised that adult protection procedures need to be activated as well. This paper will examine how adult abuse can be reported through the disciplinary framework, and therefore how adult protection and the disciplinary process need to be joined.
Responding to the abuse of people with learning disabilities: the role of the police
Authors: Davies Rachel , Mansell Ian , Northway Ruth , Jenkins Robert
Published: August 2011

The abuse of people with learning disabilities is a significant problem. The response of the police to abuse that is actually a criminal offence is paramount. This paper reports on a qualitative study into the attitudes and opinions of police officers involved in abuse investigations. The aims were to understand more about the perceptions that police have about their role, the contribution made by the police to the area and to identify good practice where it occurs. Semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted with police officers regarding their experiences of involvement in vulnerable adult protection and views on the role of the police. Findings are presented according to key themes: structure for abuse work, joint investigator training, understanding the needs of people with learning disabilities, the legislative context for abuse work and sharing good practice and striving for a consistent response. Demand is growing for the police to respond to the abuse of people with learning disabilities in a way that is both appropriate and maximises the likelihood of victims receiving justice.
Decision and debate: addressing the implications of the POVA banning list
Authors: Manthorpe Jill , Stevens Martin
Published: August 2011

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill introduces a central vetting process for staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults and children in England and Wales. This new scheme will bring together the current Protection of Vulnerable Adults banning scheme (POVA), List 99 (banning teachers) and the Protection of Children Act list (applicable to those working in childcare). This article draws on research analysing the first 100 referrals to the POVA list and identifies a series of prototypical cases and common themes. The discussion reveals the complexity of decision‐making in this type of regulation and its enforcement.
Psychological therapies in the treatment of abused adults
Authors: Fraser Aileen
Published: August 2011

As a practitioner working in the field of adult protection I became aware that, although the responses to reports of abuse have become more effective and consistent, access to treatment or therapy is limited. I therefore decided to explore the idea of using psychological approaches as interventions. My background is as a registered nurse and CAT (cognitive analytical therapy) practitioner. From some limited experience I have found that CAT can be a successful approach. In the course of this article I will examine the background to adult protection work in the UK, focusing on elder abuse, including self‐neglect, in domiciliary settings, to show the need to explore new approaches to treatment for both those who have been abused and those who are in the position of abuser. A selection of psychological therapies are explored to determine their potential to offer support for this group and the article concludes with examples of the use of CAT with adult protection referrals and a summary of the benefits and obstacles to this approach.
‘Setting the scene’ for protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) investigations
Authors: Parsons Gillian
Published: August 2011

This article considers service delivery options for agencies working within the field of adult protection that will allow for successful forward planning and an effective application of resources. It suggests a framework for social services as the lead agency to co‐ordinate the process for dealing with allegations of abuse. The aim of the framework is to establish how best to manage cases involving the alleged abuse of vulnerable adults.An analysis is provided of three alternative organisational models for dealing with referrals and investigations. The discussion also proposes different sets of arrangements for achieving effective multi‐agency working.
Elder abuse: current research in the Russian Federation (2004‐2006)
Authors: Puchkov Pavel
Published: August 2011

This paper details findings from a research study on elder abuse and neglect undertaken in Russia. A survey of 2881 older people aged 60 years and older who were known to Social Services in four districts of Saratov was undertaken to explore the extent of elder abuse and neglect in these areas. Psychological and emotional forms of abuse were found to be the most prevalent form of abuse across all districts.
The prevalence of mistreatment among the elderly with mental disorders in primary health care settings
Authors: Racic Maja , Kusmuk Srebrenka , Kozomara Ljilja , Debelnogic Branka , Tepic Rajna
Published: August 2011

Elder mistreatment is a widespread medical and social problem that is often under‐recognised by primary care physicians. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of elder mistreatment among elderly patients with mental disorders in Bosnia and Herzegovina. One‐hundred‐and‐eighty‐four patients with different mental disorders were asked to complete the EAST questionnaire as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Screening results were evaluated, and patients who had responses associated with ‘mistreatment’ were invited back to the clinics for additional clinical evaluation. Different types of mistreatment were identified in 71% of all patients. This led to a conclusion that screening for elder mistreatment should be a part of the routine health assessment for all older persons and a part of comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Boats against the current: vulnerable adults in police custody
Authors: Cummins Ian
Published: August 2011

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 criminal justice system. The overall aim of policy is that vulnerable adults should be diverted to mental health services at the earliest opportunity unless the offence is so serious that this would not be in the public interest. However, there is little concrete evidence of the success of this policy. The result is that police officers have an increasing role to play in working with individuals experiencing acute mental health problems. In this process, custody officers have a key role to play as decision‐makers as to whether the protections that PACE (1984) offers to vulnerable adults should apply. This article is based on a small‐scale indicative research study, which examined how officers make these decisions and the training that they receive relating to mental health issues.
Capacity to protect — the Mental Capacity Act explained
Authors: Williamson Toby
Published: August 2011

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 Mental Capacity Act addresses a much wider issue of abuse where a person's right to make their own decisions, and to have proper safeguards and protection if decisions need making on their behalf, is overridden or ignored. This article gives an overview of the Mental Capacity Act and its relevance to the files of adult protection.
Adult protection in mental health and inpatient settings: an analysis of the recognition of adult abuse and use of adult protection procedures in working with vulnerable adults
Authors: Galpin Diane , Parker Jo
Published: August 2011

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 have developed, which leaves inpatients vulnerable to inadequate responses to allegations of adult abuse. This article will provide a critical overview of the policy and practice issues that affect the use of adult protection procedures.
Blowing the whistle on abuse of adults with learning disabilities
Authors: Calcraft Rebecca
Published: August 2011

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 in social care settings and looks at how whistle‐blowing can help to protect people with learning disabilities from abuse.
Partnership means protection? Perceptions of the effectiveness of multi‐agency working and the regulatory framework within adult protection in England and Wales
Authors: Perkins Neil , Penhale Bridget , Reid David , Pinkney Lisa , Hussein Shereen , Manthorpe Jill
Published: August 2011

This article examines the effectiveness of the multi‐agency approach in adult protection and draws on findings from research that examined the effectiveness of both partnership working and perceptions of the regulatory framework to protect vulnerable adults. The research findings were collected through the use of a survey of all local councils with social services responsibilities in England and Wales. Examples of good practice in partnership working were found. However, resource pressures, insufficient information sharing and a lack of clarity about roles and responsibilities were reported to hinder a multi‐agency approach.
The Mental Capacity Act, the Office of the Public Guardian and the new Court of Protectio
Authors: Gearty Yeslin
Published: August 2011

Monday 1 October sees the implementation of the majority of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (the Act). Parts of the Act came into operation in April 2007, namely the creation of a new criminal offence of wilful neglect or ill treatment, the provision of Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) in England, and the Code of Practice governing the Act.The months leading up to October have been an exceptionally busy time for the Public Guardianship Office (PGO). The new legislation creates a new Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), which will replace the existing PGO. But there is more to this change than a simple re‐arrangement of words, as shown in this article.
The role of the independent mental capacity advocate in adult protection
Authors: Gorczynska Teresa , Thompson David
Published: August 2011

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 introduced the role of the independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA). This is essentially a new safeguard for adults when they lack the capacity to make critical health and welfare decisions, particularly those without family or friends to represent them. IMCAs can have a statutory role in adult protection cases that is detailed in this paper. Advocacy Partners (AP) was one of seven organisations piloting this service in England before the service was introduced nationally in April 2007. AP is now commissioned to provide the IMCA service in 10 local authorities in the South East. Of the 270 cases referred to Advocacy Partners that have met the criteria for an IMCA since the Act was implemented, 38 were referred as part of adult protection proceedings. This early experience of IMCA involvement in adult protection cases is discussed.
Why should they be abused any more than children? Child abuse protection and the implementation ofNo Secrets
Authors: Filinson Rachel , McCreadie Claudine , Askham Janet , Mathew Dinah
Published: August 2011

The parallels between child abuse and adult abuse have been frequently noted as public awareness of both has increased in recent decades. Both can involve the concealed victimisation of a weaker family member, for both interventions are difficult to implement because practitioners are loath to intrude into the privacy of the family and risk causing harm, and combating abuse of either type demands multi‐agency working. Significant differences between the two abuse constituencies have also been stressed, namely that adults are not invariably dependents reliant for care on the persons mistreating them and have the autonomy to resist efforts to intervene on their behalf.
The ‘Quality in Care’ model of quality assurance and safeguarding for older people in institutional care
Authors: Elvidge Felicity , MacPhail Geraldine
Published: August 2011

This paper profiles the Maidstone ‘Quality in Care’ project and makes suggestions for how it could be developed and implemented across residential and nursing care for older people and for social care more widely. ‘Quality in Care’ is a quality assurance model of support provided to residential care homes for older people where there are serious concerns about the risks of abuse and/or neglect and the quality of services and care provided. The aim of the intervention is to ensure that vulnerable adults are safeguarded and protected and that service standards are improved in key areas. The model has the potential to be transferred to all client groups and most service types although resource constraints currently limit the project to older people only.
The process and function of serious case review
Authors: Brown Hilary
Published: August 2011

Serious case review was neither envisaged nor mandated in the original No Secrets (Department of Health, 2000) although individual authorities have issued protocols in the intervening period. Recognising that there would always be a need to look back and to learn from challenging cases, Kent was one of the first authorities to put in place a mechanism for referral and conduct of these reviews. In this paper, I summarise the way this process is set in train, and what we have learned from the reviews we have undertaken to date. I write as the independent chair of the Serious Case Review Panel, and as an occasional chair of one‐off inquiries for other authorities, which I also refer to for comparison.
Relevance ranking on Google
Authors: Hariri Nadjla
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of relevance ranking on Google by comparing the system's assessment of relevance with the users' views. The research aims to find out whether the presumably objective relevance ranking of Google based on the PageRank and some other factors in fact matches users' subjective judgments of relevance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research investigated the relevance ranking of Google's retrieved results using 34 searches conducted by users in real search sessions. The results pages 1‐4 (i.e. the first 40 results) were examined by the users to identify relevant documents. Based on these data the frequency of relevant documents according to the appearance order of retrieved documents in the first four results pages was calculated. The four results pages were also compared in terms of precision.

Findings

In 50 per cent and 47.06 per cent of the searches the documents ranked 5th and 1st, (i.e. from the first pages of the retrieved results) respectively, were most relevant according to the users' viewpoints. Yet even in the fourth results pages there were three documents that were judged most relevant by the users in more than 40 per cent of the searches. There were no significant differences between the precision of the four results pages except between pages 1 and 3.

Practical implications

The results will help users of search engines, especially Google, to decide how many pages of the retrieved results to examine.

Originality/value

Search engine design will benefit from the results of this study as it experimentally evaluates the effectiveness of Google's relevance ranking.
Video summarisation based on collaborative temporal tags
Authors: Gyo Chung Min , Wang Taehyung (George) , Sheu Phillip C.‐Y.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

Video summarisation is one of the most active fields in content‐based video retrieval research. A new video summarisation scheme is proposed by this paper based on socially generated temporal tags.

Design/methodology/approach

To capture users' collaborative tagging activities the proposed scheme maintains video bookmarks, which contain some temporal or positional information about videos, such as relative time codes or byte offsets. For each video all the video bookmarks collected from users are then statistically analysed in order to extract some meaningful key frames (the video equivalent of keywords), which collectively constitute the summary of the video.

Findings

Compared with traditional video summarisation methods that use low‐level audio‐visual features, the proposed method is based on users' high‐level collaborative activities, and thus can produce semantically more important summaries than existing methods.

Research limitations/implications

It is assumed that the video frames around the bookmarks inserted by users are informative and representative, and therefore can be used as good sources for summarising videos.

Originality/value

Folksonomy, commonly called collaborative tagging, is a Web 2.0 method for users to freely annotate shared information resources with keywords. It has mostly been used for collaboratively tagging photos (Flickr), web site bookmarks (Del.icio.us), or blog posts (Technorati), but has never been applied to the field of automatic video summarisation. It is believed that this is the first attempt to utilise users' high‐level collaborative tagging activities, instead of low‐level audio‐visual features, for video summarisation.
Drought and desertification management in arid and semi-arid zones of Northern Nigeria
Authors: Idris Medugu Nasiru , Rafee Majid M. , Johar Foziah
Published: August 2011

Purpose

– This paper seeks to review the state of desertification in Nigeria, historical trends and past national efforts as well as ongoing programs for combating the fast-spreading desert conditions in the arid zones of the country.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach has been carried out through a comprehensive review analysis and detailed assessment on several methods of approach which includes archival materials as well as published government documents, field observation and learned background information of the working and funding dynamics of the program to combat desertification.

Findings

– The findings of this paper reveal that the failure of the past government effort in combating desertification in Nigeria is a result of the policies and the programs not having been designed to adequately tackle the problem of drought and desertification and of the phenomena being treated as sectoral issues rather than an integrated whole.

Practical implications

– This paper has practical implication for anyone interested in sustainable management of drought and desertification in the arid and semi arid zones of the world.

Originality/value

– The paper has articulated success and failure of the government programs in combating the twin environmental problems of drought and desertification in Nigeria and also shows that government could significantly combat desertification through sustainable management of its projects/programs if adequate resources are employed.
Seasonal variations in municipal landfill leachate quality
Authors: Kalčíková Gabriela , Vávrová Milada , Zagorc-Končan Jana , Žgajnar Gotvajn Andreja
Published: August 2011

Purpose

– The aim of this work is to compare quality of leachates from regional municipal landfill in different seasons (dry, snowy/rainy) during a three-year monitoring period due to the fact that quality of landfill leachate can rapidly change under different conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Raw leachates were sampled prior to biological treatment at different periods of the year (November 2007, March 2008, May 2008, March 2009, and January 2010) to detect the changes in their composition due to different physico-chemical conditions at the site (temperature, moisture, etc.). Leachates were physico-chemically characterized and the toxicity of chosen leachates was assessed by a battery of biotests.

Findings

– Most of the investigated raw leachates exceed Slovenian effluent limits. Samples from March 2008 and March 2009 generally showed higher concentration of measured parameters and also higher toxicity. It has been confirmed that the physico-chemical parameters of leachates usually decrease during rainy/snowy seasons, in addition to the change in toxicity.

Originality/value

– This paper demonstrates the need to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters and toxicity of landfill leachate during different seasons of the year to achieve an appropriate assessment of its environmental impact.
Regulating the future? Law, ethics, and emerging technologies
Authors: Székely Iván , Dániel Szabó Máté , Vissy Beatrix
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide an overview of the legal implications which may be relevant to the ethical aspects of emerging technologies, to explore the existing situation in the area of legal regulation at EU level, and to formulate recommendations for the lawmakers.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on the premise that the law is supposed to invoke moral principles. Speculative findings are formulated on the basis of analyzing specific emerging technologies; empirical findings are based on a research conducted in the whole legal corpus of the EU.

Findings

In the area of network‐based technologies the already existing and elaborated legal frameworks can be used in an extended manner; artificial intelligence‐based technologies call for alterations in several branches of law; while interface technologies show the difficulty and complexity of regulating interdisciplinary fields. The legal implications of emerging technologies have attracted only a minimal legislative attention in the competent bodies of the EU.

Originality/value

The paper provides a systemic approach towards transmitting ethical norms to the application of emerging technologies through legal regulation, and formulates detailed recommendations in various areas of such technologies.
Nursing perspective of global substance abuse and misuse: US and UK differences
Authors: Murphy‐Parker Dana , Martinez Ruby
Published: August 2011

Substance abuse and dependence to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) is a universal public health problem extending across all borders, and including all ethnic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic boundaries. It is a condition that the nursing profession worldwide struggles to better understan. At the global level, differences in beliefs and practices regarding ATOD have resulted in a wide variation of how these problems are handled and treated.Examining and comparing those between the US and the UK can illustate an example of the differences in addictions nursing practice. Underlying assumptions of the current alcohol and drug policies in the US have been mainly based on prohibition, criminalisation and a drug‐free society ideology (Nadelmann, 1997) while the UK policies have been based on the belief of ‘harm reduction’ (Coyne & Clancy, 1996). This paper discusses some of the historical, philosophical and cultural differences between the US and the UK that have led to the respective differences in societal attitudes and treatment practices for substance abuse or ‘substance misuse’ within these two separate societies.