Using two case studies to explore the complexity of choice in adult safeguarding practice.

What is it about?

This article explores the tension and dilemmas in adult safeguarding work between promoting an adult’s autonomy and trying to protect them from harm. It draws upon the literature around choice, ethics of care, and adult support and protection practice to highlight that a person's ability to choose to address harm in their lives is complex to assess. It then uses two examples drawn from a Scottish research study to highlight the emotional, relational, and cognitive factors that may explain why some people stay in abusive situations. Finally, it recommends how welfare professionals might be better supported to address these complexities in their practice.

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Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Adult safeguarding is a relatively new policy and practice area compared to child protection. As yet, only a small amount of published research explores the experience of the adult at risk. This article contributes to this small but hopefully growing area of practice. It has important messages for welfare professionals to help them avoid making assumptions about an adult's ability to make an informed choice when living in harmful situations. It also suggests how researchers can take these ideas into future projects. More generally, it has relevance for the policy makers as it highlights the problematic nature of choice as a policy value.

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