The importance of recognising, identifying and acting on organisational abuse is critical and underlined by many safeguarding adults reviews and enquiries. This resource has been developed by the organisational abuse expert reference group, hosted by Partners in Care and Health, including representatives from local government, health and regulatory bodies.
The organisational abuse expert reference group was up to provide a forum for partners to share information, identify potential areas for development and work together; to collaborate on the development of a work programme to raise awareness and effective responses to organisational abuse and closed cultures within health and social care services in England.
The purpose of this resource is to bring together information relevant to understanding organisational abuse, guidance, information and tools for practitioners and leaders to use in their safeguarding practice, to deliver their roles and responsibilities to improve outcomes and achieve a positive impact for children, young people and adults with care and support needs. to in this area.
As further relevant resources are developed, they will be added to these resources. They include local initiatives and we welcome examples of how services, partnerships and systems work to improve outcomes in this area of safeguarding practice.
Organisational abuse as defined in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance 2015 includes neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home.
This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.