The Hinder Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Helping or hindering in adult safeguarding: an investigation of practice \n
IRAS ID
203932
Contact name
Martin Stevens
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, days
Research summary
This research project asks two main questions. First is: what is the evidence that social care workers and social workers in England are being obstructed in their attempts to gain access to an adult about whom there is a concern in relation to possible abuse or neglect? Second is: what is the nature of policy and practice response in such situations, which we have called ‘hinder’ situations? Such ‘hindering’ may take the form of a third party, for example a family member, denying access completely or making access problematic, for example by refusing to leave the room when an interview is taking place. The study runs from July 2015 to February 2017.\n\nUnder the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to make enquiries where there is reason to suspect that an adult with care and support needs is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect. This research explores how often, if at all such social workers and other professionals making these enquiries made face obstructive behaviour (hindering) and how these professionals and local authorities respond. We are focusing on the period since April 2015, when the Care Act 2014 was implemented.The study is limited to cases where the adult at risk is living at home (this includes extra care and sheltered housing, but not care homes). The research takes place against the backdrop of a debate in recent years as to whether social workers should have a legally backed power of entry in such circumstances. We have completed a literature review and analysis of other, publicly available data and we are not seeking approval for this part of the study as it did not involve human participants. The research will involve an online survey of all adult safeguarding leads in England and case studies in three local authorities. These three elements will be combined to inform both this debate and current practice.\n
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
16/WA/0122
Date of REC Opinion
12 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion