Barnet acts to prevent elder abuse

Over 280 health and social care staff attended an innovative event staged this week by Barnet Council to train them to prevent the abuse of vulnerable adults.

At the event actors from AFTAThought acted out case scenarios featuring the types of situations that staff encounter in their day to day work. Staff then had opportunity to discuss and share their views in relation to the scenarios presented.

This training aims to help staff fully understand the impact that their day to day work has on the lives of people in their care and what they can do to prevent the abuse of vulnerable adults.

Underpinning the training is new guidelines from the government's 'Dignity Challenge', and how it impacts on hospital and care staff's work. The Dignity Challenge sets out what people can expect from their care services and sets standards around privacy, engaging with family members and carers, and helping maintain people's confidence and self esteem.

Speaking about the event Councillor Lynne Hillan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "Giving health and social care staff in Barnet the skills and understanding they need to recognise and tackle abuse of older people is key to the council's work to support vulnerable adults.

"Bringing together staff from such a wide number of different organisations, including hospitals, care homes and those working in the community means that we can get the most out of this excellent training.

"We work closely with Barnet PCT and Barnet Chase Farm Trust and the Commission for Social Care in our strategies to provide high quality support to older people and people who through disability can become vulnerable."