Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults: How Organisations Can Act on the Royal Commission’s Findings
In light of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, the urgent need for systemic change is clear. The harrowing stories shared by abuse survivors highlight critical gaps in safeguarding policies that must be addressed. Organisations in Aotearoa now have an unprecedented opportunity to protect vulnerable individuals by implementing robust safeguarding measures, ensuring abuse, exploitation, and neglect are prevented and addressed effectively.
At The Policy Place Ltd, we have recently reviewed and updated Abuse and Protection policies for our online clients to respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (“Royal Commission”) and Te Aorerekura National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence. In our last post, we discussed how our policies align with the National Strategy. This post focuses on the “why” and “what” of coverage for a policy on safeguarding vulnerable adults.
Key Findings from the Royal Commission
The Royal Commission’s final report, Whanaketia – Through Pain and Trauma, From Darkness to Light, reveals the systemic failures that allowed pervasive abuse and neglect in state and faith-based care from 1950 to 1999. Nearly 3,000 survivors shared their experiences, underscoring the urgency for change.
Factors that Enabled Abuse:
- Lack of Oversight: Insufficient monitoring and accountability within care institutions allowed abuse to go unchecked.
- Power Imbalances: Significant power disparities made it difficult for victims to speak out or be believed.
- Cultural and Systemic Discrimination: Discrimination against Māori, Pacific Peoples, Deaf people, disabled people, and those experiencing mental distress contributed to vulnerability.
- Inadequate Training and Resources: Caregivers often lacked the skills and knowledge to recognise and address abuse.
- Isolation of Victims: Many victims were cut off from family and community, increasing their susceptibility to abuse.
Why Safeguarding Policies Are Crucial Today
The findings of the Royal Commission are not only of historical importance; they offer vital lessons for how care is provided today. Safeguarding policies must reflect these lessons to protect disabled people, kaumātua, and other vulnerable adults who rely on care and support services.
Vulnerability in Care Relationships
Those who depend on others for support face heightened risks due to:
- Dependency Risks: Reliance on caregivers for basic needs creates power imbalances that can be exploited.
- Communication Barriers: Disabilities and mental health challenges can hinder reporting and recognising abuse.
- Isolation: Being cut off from support networks makes individuals more susceptible to exploitation.
- Cultural and Economic Influences: Marginalised communities often face additional barriers to seeking help.
- Incompetency in Care Settings: Staff may lack awareness and skills to address abuse effectively.
Guiding Principles for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
The Royal Commission proposed principles that organisations can embed in safeguarding policies to prevent abuse:
- Diligent and Skilful Care: Provide care with professionalism and competence.
- Safe and Insightful Care: Tailor care to individual needs and circumstances, including proactive risk assessments.
- Caring and Compassionate Relationships: Foster trust and encourage open communication.
- Empowering and Timely Support: Empower individuals to understand their rights and access support.
- Mana-Enhancing: Recognise and uphold the dignity (mana) and wellbeing (mauri) of every person.
- Person-Centred: Build care strategies around each person’s unique strengths and needs.
- Participation and Voice: Support individuals to participate in decisions that affect them.
- Prevention and Safety: Implement diverse prevention strategies and awareness initiatives.
- Whānau and Community: Involve family, whānau, and community in decision-making.
- Cultural Responsiveness: Ensure responses address cultural needs and preferences.
Practical Safeguarding Procedures
To operationalise these principles, safeguarding policies should include:
- Awareness and Training: Regular training sessions for kaimahi and volunteers on recognising and addressing abuse.
- Proactive Monitoring: Routine checks on care relationships and environments to identify risks early.
- Supportive Culture: Create safe reporting channels, such as in-person, email, or formal complaints systems.
- Empowerment: Equip individuals with knowledge of their rights and self-protection strategies.
- Feedback and Complaints: Encourage feedback and address complaints transparently.
- Continuous Improvement: Use feedback to enhance services and prevent future issues.
Conclusion
Safeguarding policies extend beyond child protection to ensure that the gross abuses of the past are never repeated. By implementing these measures, organisations can provide safe, culturally responsive care that empowers vulnerable adults and upholds their dignity.
At The Policy Place, we have developed a comprehensive Safeguarding policy grounded in the Royal Commission’s recommendations. This policy is now available to all our online policy members and, like all our policies, will be regularly reviewed and updated to stay relevant. Interested in implementing a safeguarding policy? Contact us to learn more.