This module assumes a basic knowledge about the legal, policy and practice framework for safeguarding adults and builds on that foundation by exploring and assessing the impact of ongoing theoretical/conceptual, legal, policy and practice developments and changes in this field of practice for social work practitioners working with vulnerable adults. The module will explore the tensions between intervention and choice, independence and control in responding to potential/actual abuse and prevention.

By the end of the module the student should be able to:

• Identify and describe recent and ongoing legal, policy and practice developments in the field of Safeguarding Adults.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how these developments fit into the overall historical emergence of this.
• Demonstrate an understanding at both conceptual and practice levels, approaches to understanding and assessing issues of seriousness, vulnerability and risk in relation to safeguarding adults.
• Demonstrate an understanding of a range of commonalities and differences within and between perspectives of practitioner, service user and carers perspectives concerning the development and implementation of local Safeguarding Adults procedures and guidelines.
• Describe and assess the usefulness of the concept of 'personhood' in the context of Safeguarding Adults practice.
• Identify and describe the impact of identity and diversity (e.g. race, ethnicity and culture) on Safeguarding Adults practice.