Book review
Title: Safeguarding vulnerable adults and the law
Author: Michael Mandelstam
Year: 2008
Edition: 1
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-84310-692-0
Price: £19.99
Reviewer: Jonathan Parker, Professor of Social Work, Bournemouth University
Review date: 24/03/2009
Further information about this book
This is a wide-ranging book; necessarily so given the complexities and often uncertainties of working in an area fraught with difference and diversity of experience, and fragmented solutions to issues that arise in practice. It is difficult to address all concerns comprehensively and this is perhaps even more the case when the legislation and underpinning policy relating to safeguarding is so disparate in England and Wales (Scotland, of course, has its own single piece of legislation concerning the safeguarding of vulnerable adults). However, Mandelstam makes a valiant effort in covering the core areas, illustrating these by case law and example and reflecting in a very balanced way, how professionals can negotiate pathways that are assistive, and safeguard and protect.
After a brief introduction the book is separated into ten substantive chapters which set out the scope and explore, in detail, how legislation may be used to safeguard vulnerable adults in local authority and NHS settings. The book then proceeds to cover such central themes as the regulation of care; mental health and mental capacity; physical, sexual and financial abuse, and data protection. The book concludes by reflecting on the procedural aspects of adult protection.
Each of the chapters begins by delineating its coverage; so, at a glance, readers can identify where important and specific information may be found. Mandelstam also includes a key point summary at the outset which acts as a brief and immediate overview of content. This will help readers – whether practitioners, students or educators – who have already read the book, to refresh themselves of key issues.
As with any book concerning legislation and adults it will date. Indeed, it is a shame that with No Secrets (in England) under review that the review can only be referred to as happening. If and when revisions are made material concerning these procedural aspects of practice may need up-dating. Similarly, the Mental Health Act 2007, whilst referred to and not really altering the 1983 Act much, enjoys limited mention. However, Mandelstam is clear that the book cannot be comprehensive but by the use of case examples and principles he can ‘illustrate the law in practical terms as well as to depict the plight in which vulnerable people may find themselves (p.17). The book succeeds in doing so.
Mandelstam also states an aim of treading a dispassionate pathway through the application and interpretation of legislation. He is scrupulously fair, balanced and not afraid of leading readers to question care services, legislation and approaches to working with vulnerable adults. The potential for standards - overemphasised and misapplied perhaps in our target driven culture - to deflect attention from needs and even to compound abuse is considered. A strength of this approach is for social and health care professionals to ‘air their dirty washing’, to acknowledge failures in the systems of care and safeguarding that can then be improved. Such a transparent and honest approach to failings in care provision, without media generated blame, could enable better practice. The book provides an excellent foundation in legislation that will assist the development of student and practitioner knowledge and provides the detail needed for those delivering modules in this area. Yes, it will date; but the principles and case law will hold true. This book should be required reading for all professionals in social and health care who practise with vulnerable adults.
