Safeguarding Adults in Nursing Practice

Safeguarding has become an important and significant role for nurses from all four fields of nursing. Arguably, with the number of vulnerable people on the increase this role is set to develop further in respect of accountability and responsibility. The changing face of policy and legislation is one that adds to the complexity that nurses confront in respect of decision-making and the understanding of their role in respect of protecting rights, as well as providing protection, for those who are at risk of exploitation or abuse. The area of safeguarding is one that is fraught with ethical dilemmas for nurses and requires sensitive and careful management.

In respect of safeguarding children, there is a fairly well-developed body of literature to support practitioners in their roles. However, this body of evidence in respect of safeguarding adults has been slower in its development and there is a limited guidance to support professionals and carers working with this population group. This is where this second edition book becomes a valuable and extremely informative source of reference. Its accessible format is one that makes the text interesting, thought provoking and engaging. Key topics are addressed starting with exploring the context of safeguarding, vulnerability and abuse. This leads logically into other chapters that explore more in depth issues such as ethical and professional frameworks, legal and policy provisions, interprofessional and interagency working and positive practice using a systems approach.

The chapters are supported by activities that promote critical thinking and the application of theory, highlighted within the text, to practice. The book promotes independent learning skills, provides case studies, guidance to further reading and details of useful resources. Each chapter is clearly mapped to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards for Pre-registration Nursing Education Domains and the NMC Essential Skills Clusters.

This edition of the book has been updated to ensure it captures the changing face of the socio-political-legal arena encompassing this complex and important area of practice. I highly recommend that this book is adopted as essential reading for student nurses and it will also be of benefit to students in other health and social care disciplines. Similarly, it will also be a valuable resource for qualified and unqualified health and social care staff to inform their practice within this area.