Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between loneliness and mental well-being in unmarried older adults, emphasizing the moderating role of locus of control. The objective was to ascertain whether internal, external and powerful others’ control orientations mitigate or exacerbate the psychological impacts of loneliness, with the intention of informing culturally sensitive safeguarding strategies and promoting psychosocial interventions that bolster resilience, autonomy and emotional security in at-risk older populations. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional correlational design was used to analyze the study variables among 200 purposively selected unmarried older adults aged 60 and up from various places across Pakistan. Standardized tools were used, such as the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and the Levenson Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale. Data collection followed ethical guidelines, assuring informed consent and anonymity. SPSS version 26 was used for statistical analyses, which included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical multiple regression. Findings Results indicated a significant negative relationship between loneliness and mental well-being. Internal locus of control moderated this relationship by buffering the adverse effects of loneliness, whereas external locus of control intensified them. The “powerful others” dimension exhibited a mild positive moderating influence, suggesting that reliance on supportive figures can offer partial protection. Gender and family structure differences revealed that women and individuals in nuclear families reported higher loneliness and lower well-being. Originality/value This study presents original data from a collectivist setting, framing locus of control as a protective psychological mechanism that informs culturally relevant safeguarding treatments to improve resilience and mental well-being in later life.

Purpose This study aims to explore the development of law and policy in adult social care and safeguarding adults and to consider how this has shaped contemporary practice and informed the current legal framework. Design/methodology/approach Interview Findings This interview sheds light on the evolution of the law and policy framework that informs safeguarding practice. It highlights the competing imperatives and tensions for government policymakers in finding the balance between maximising an adult at risk’s autonomy and ensuring adequate protection for those who need it. The findings identify how different legal statutes can elicit diverse responses from practitioners and consider what may be behind this. The findings also suggest the next steps to improve the legal framework that informs safeguarding adults. Originality/value This is an original interview, as commissioned by Dr Jeremy Dixon (Series Editor).

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges of whistleblowing and campaigning to make systemic changes in the face of institutional failings. Design/methodology/approach This is an interview. Findings This interview reports the experience of Julie Bailey who led Cure the NHS, a grassroots campaign to change what she and others observed as dangerous practices within the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust Hospital. The discussion explores whistleblowers’ challenges when highlighting widespread poor practice and abuse and the role politics plays in helping or hindering the push for change. Originality/value This is an original interview, as commissioned by Dr Jeremy Dixon (Series Editor).

PurposeThis study aims to examine how unpaid family carers who are at risk of abuse or have experienced abuse from the people they provide care for are supported through safeguarding carers processes in England.Design/methodology/approachQualitative focus group interviews and individual interviews were conducted with social workers and unpaid family carers who have worked with affected unpaid family carers. Thematic analysis (Ricoeur, 1971) was used to identify themes relating to the research questions and issues identified from the literature.FindingsThe themes identified centred on support provided either through statutory services or carer group organisations. Statutory support consisted of assessments and support provided to the cared-for person or the carer to enable affected family carers to take a break from caring. Support provided by carer group organisations tended to focus on the carer and consisted of listening, reintroduction conversations, signposting and referrals to specialist therapeutic support services.Originality/valueWe know relatively little about how unpaid family carers who are at risk of or have experienced abuse from the people they provide care for are supported through safeguarding carers processes in England. Relatively little is also known about the contributions made by carer group organisations in safeguarding them from harm and abuse. This study provides insights into how affected unpaid family carers are supported through safeguarding carers processes in England.

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an overview and viewpoint on current international initiatives relating to the human rights of older people.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a review of recent and current developments in relation to the human rights of older people and some discussion of these issues.FindingsIn addition to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are separate conventions on the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. However, there is currently no universal, binding legal instrument on the human rights of older people, although work is in progress at international level in an attempt to remedy this lack.Research limitations/implicationsThis brief paper aims to provide an overview of a complex current issue for those not familiar with the topic, so it is not able to provide an in-depth analysis of the topic.Practical implicationsSocial workers and other human services professionals, particularly those who work with older adults, including those working in the health-care sector, should have knowledge and understanding about this important issue.Social implicationsMany older people face inequalities that result from existing gaps in the protection of their rights. This includes issues relating to Intersecting forms of discrimination that adversely affect some older adults. Individuals should be able to age with dignity so they can lead dignified, self-determined and secure lives – and need protection of their human rights to enable them to do so.Originality/valueThis paper provides a viewpoint on current international initiatives concerning the human rights of older people.

PurposeMost abuse affecting older adults in the UK, as across Europe, takes place within caring relationships, where one person is disabled and needs care/support. This paper critically appraises two of the key theoretical explanations. First, feminist theories of “intimate partner abuse” tell us that it is mostly men who perpetrate abuse against women. Second, “carer strain”: the stress caused by caring responsibilities, often with inadequate help from services. Neither fully reflects the complex dynamics of “dangerous care” leading to a lack of voice and choice in safeguarding responses. This paper aims to articulate the need for an overarching theoretical framework, informed by a deeper understanding of the intersectional risk factors that create and compound the diverse experiences of harm by disabled people and family carers over the life course.Design/methodology/approachThe critical synthesis of the theoretical approaches informing UK policy and practice presented here arises from a structured literature review and discussions held with three relevant third sector agencies during the development of a research proposal.FindingsNo single theory fully explains dangerous care and there are significant gaps in policy, resources and practice across service sectors, highlighting the need for joint training, intersectional working and research across service sectors.Originality/valueDrawing both on existing literature and on discussions across contrasting policy and practice sectors, this paper raises awareness of some less well-acknowledged complexities of abuse and responses to abuse in later life.

PurposeThe Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (ASP Act) mandates public bodies to investigate situations of harm and to support and protect adults at risk. One of the fundamental principles of the legislation is to involve the person in the adult protection process. Older people are highly represented among those defined as adults at risk and have the right to participate in decisions about their lives. However, contextual factors can impact participatory parity, and participation can be tokenistic. Drawing on the author’s practice experience, this paper aims to explore the supports and barriers to meaningful participation in adult protection.Design/methodology/approachBased on practice during the first decade of the ASP Act, this paper uses amalgamated scenarios involving older adults at risk to illustrate some of the key themes emanating from literature.FindingsDespite Human Rights Conventions and law promoting participatory principles, research evidence and practice experience suggests that ethical principles do not always translate to practice. Within adult protection case conferences (APCCs), participation is nuanced and multifaceted, involving individual and structural facilitators and impediments. APCCs can be inhospitable environments for the adult at risk. But they also have the potential to be collaborative and supportive spaces, promoting the person’s self esteem and agency. The author plans to conduct research with service users and practitioners exploring the extent to which APCCs can facilitate meaningful participation.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the wider debate about the participatory rights of service users and the value of experiential knowledge.

PurposeLocal Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) policies, procedures, guidance and related documents on self-neglect were gathered and analysed, to map what approaches are being taken across England. This paper aims to identify areas of divergence to highlight innovations or challenges faced by SABs.Design/methodology/approachSelf-neglect documents were identified by searching SAB websites. Data were extracted into a framework enabling synthesis and comparison between documents.FindingsThis paper reports on how English SAB documentation defines self-neglect, treats executive capacity, lays out pathways for self-neglect cases, advises on refusal of service input and multi-agency coordination and draws on theories or tools. Greater coherence in understanding self-neglect has developed since it was brought within safeguarding in 2014; however, variation remains regarding scope, referral pathways and threshold criteria.Research limitations/implicationsThis review was limited to published SAB documentation at one point in time and could not consider either the wider context of safeguarding guidance and training or implementation in practice.Practical implicationsThis review provides an overview of how SABs are interpreting national guidance and guiding practitioners. The trends and areas of uncertainty identified offer a resource for informed research and policy-making.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first systematic survey of SAB self-neglect policies, procedures and guidance since self-neglect was included under safeguarding.