"Capacity is key": investigating new legal provisions in England and wales for adult safeguarding

TY - JOUR

T1 - "Capacity is key"

T2 - investigating new legal provisions in England and wales for adult safeguarding

AU - Manthorpe, Jill

AU - Samsi, Kritika

AU - Rapaport, Joan

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - This study aimed to investigate the views and experiences of local Safeguarding Adults Coordinators of the newly implemented Mental Capacity Act 2005. This legislation in England and Wales has both protection and empowerment as its dual goals. Fifteen Safeguarding Adults Coordinators (SACs) employed by local authorities in the London area were interviewed in 2008, and again 2 years later. A total of 12 SACs participated in the 2010 follow-up interviews. The findings are reported here, covering experiences and views on the implementation and uses of the Act. There was overwhelming support for the Act as enhancing people's rights to a life free from abuse, of providing a framework for the assessment of decision-making capacity, and of assisting practitioners in reducing risks and responding to abusive situations. Participants urged better publicity about the Act, more detailed guidance on the new offenses, and greater attention to the interactions with other government policy goals.

AB - This study aimed to investigate the views and experiences of local Safeguarding Adults Coordinators of the newly implemented Mental Capacity Act 2005. This legislation in England and Wales has both protection and empowerment as its dual goals. Fifteen Safeguarding Adults Coordinators (SACs) employed by local authorities in the London area were interviewed in 2008, and again 2 years later. A total of 12 SACs participated in the 2010 follow-up interviews. The findings are reported here, covering experiences and views on the implementation and uses of the Act. There was overwhelming support for the Act as enhancing people's rights to a life free from abuse, of providing a framework for the assessment of decision-making capacity, and of assisting practitioners in reducing risks and responding to abusive situations. Participants urged better publicity about the Act, more detailed guidance on the new offenses, and greater attention to the interactions with other government policy goals.

U2 - 10.1080/08946566.2013.770313

DO - 10.1080/08946566.2013.770313

M3 - Article

C2 - 23768417

SN - 1540-4129

VL - 25

SP - 355

EP - 373

JO - Journal of elder abuse & neglect

JF - Journal of elder abuse & neglect

IS - 4

ER -