Within this assignment I will demonstrate an understanding of legislation and policy guidance, noting the strengths and weaknesses in accordance to British Law. Firstly I will briefly give the history of abuse, bringing in various Department of Health documents as clarification. Moving on to examining in detail no secrets' policy guidance, mentioning the strengths and weaknesses of this document.
I will also bring in comments from various authors, websites and journals to demonstrate the need for current legislation regarding the protection of vulnerable adults. Definitions of abuse will also be included as will the comparison of international law with British law.
Abuse against vulnerable adults has been noted since the 1960's, although certain types of abuse would have taken place before then, society has changed and what is acceptable now is certainly different to what was acceptable back then. People became quite vocal in the 60's, more open minded and speech and opinions flowing freely an example of this would be the topic of sex and drugs.
Mervyn Eastman during the 80's wrote many articles for Age Concern on the subject of Old Age Abuse. Around this time the term granny bashing' was being used to describe this despicable act. Abuse of vulnerable adults in this country was acknowledged around the same time as is the USA, but while legislation was introduced in America it wasn't thought to be important enough for the same attention here in Britain.
The 1990's also saw the implementation of the NHS&Community Care Act, which gave social workers the power to assess and to protect the vulnerable. It also gave power so that nursing and residential home could be inspected under the same act. More studies on abuse were conducted around this period and as a result of these practice guidance to Local Authorities No Longer Afraid (DOH 1993) was implemented. Action on Elder Abuse was founded in 1993 and has opened the subject up for discussion.