Implementing adult safeguarding practices in NHS Mental Health Services: Challenges for leadership and service provision

The abuse and neglect of adults at risk is increasingly recognised as a social problem in the U.K. Policy development for the protection of at risk adults has seen substantial growth since the publication of the No Secrets (2000) guidance. Despite cumulative evidence that National Health Service (NHS) mental health services have been slow to engage with the national adult safeguarding agenda, there is a paucity of research in this area. This poster describes a Grounded Theory study designed to explore the use and implementation of adult safeguarding practices and procedures in three NHS mental health trusts. It specifically presents the findings of sixteen interviews with strategic leaders for adult safeguarding and operational personnel. It will discuss the conceptual components that are central to the implementation of effective adult safeguarding procedures in mental health. It further highlights barriers to practice and demonstrate the need for multi-dimensional approaches within service contexts to ensure that factors inevitably affecting mental health service users are anticipated. Such factors include: the perpetuation of social inequalities and power differentials within healthcare settings, the calamitous relationship between the symptoms of abuse and mental illness, and the internalised collusive culture historical to mental health settings.