Queen's University Belfast

Academic Institute

Laura Doyle

E071

We intend to link adult protection statistics to deprivation deciles through the central postcode directory across Northern Ireland. We hope to investigate the relationship between patterns of referrals and deprivation, service provision and outcomes. Queens University will use the data to investigate the existence and extent of differences between and within the Health and Social Care Trust areas in patterns of adult abuse. We will examine whether such differences are statistically significant and whether significant differences are explained by deprivation. The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM) 2010 and 2017 level will be used to test whether differences in adult abuse are related to deprivation. All outputs will be approved by the Honest Broker Service (HBS) The landscape of Adult Social Care, and in particular of Adult Safeguarding, has shifted considerably over the last decade. Increased public and political awareness have developed alongside policy and professional intervention to increase our understanding of the abuse and protection of adults whose personal characteristics or life circumstances may put them at risk of harm. It has long been framed as a public health and social problem and has received increased attention internationally. Safeguarding adults is a complex and multi-faceted challenge in society. The impact and cost to the individual and communities is high. Arguably, anyone in the public has the potential to be affected by social deprivation and/or abuse during their lifetime. The Health Department of Northern Ireland has committed to establish an Adult Safeguarding/Adult Protection Change Programme to make lasting improvements to adult safeguarding in Northern Ireland. Through this study we intend to use data to make a difference to help inform social care service provision, shape developing policy and contribute to the current development of a specific Adult Safeguarding Bill.

This research project will provide vital evidence for policy making and service development in relation to adult safeguarding in Northern Ireland. Given an Adult Safeguarding Bill is pending in Northern Ireland, it is hoped that this study can help shape and inform decisions around this vital piece of legislation. It will significantly benefit society by developing our knowledge and understanding of a systemic model of abuse and how deprivation, poverty and unemployment impacts on this phenomenon. Understanding social trends and how economics impact on abuse is vitally important because it is through this that Governments and politicians can work towards targeting resources to those communities and neighbourhoods that need the support the most. Filling the gaps in this area around early, intervention, prevention and screening is necessary in tackling this growing problem in society. We hope to use data to make a difference for those we seek to serve. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been an analysis of patterns and trends of Adult Safeguarding referrals across Northern Ireland using SOSCARE datasets, or a linkage with deprivation deciles for the adult sector. We hope to fill this gap by undertaking the current project. It is hoped that this research will provide further insights for academics, managers and practitioners in this field.

08/12/2021

TRE