The following is an example of the safeguarding process applied to the duty to report an adult at possible risk of emotional abuse by their partner.
(See the safeguarding process)
I am the manager of a rehabilitation day centre, which is a health run unit and I think Mrs Adams, (62 yrs), one of our service users, is being emotionally abused by her husband.
Mrs Adams suffers from dysarthria (difficulty speaking because of loss of control of facial muscles). Her physical movement is severely limited, and she has lost bladder control. She has a poor memory and is depressed, frequently crying and is withdrawn.
Mrs Adams has attended the day centre weekly for speech and language, occupational therapy and physiotherapy for 3 months but has not been for the last two weeks. When I contacted the Adams by phone, to find out why Mrs Adams was not attending, her husband told me she wanted to stop coming as she was ‘embarrassed’ by her condition. I tried visiting but Mr Adams would not let me into the house to see his wife and got verbally aggressive. He has also stopped the carers who get Mrs Adams up and washed. This means no-one is going into the home or seeing Mrs Adams.
Other users have now commented on her absence and said that she had mentioned that her husband is a ‘bully’. She was never allowed to work or make friends. She told them he can get verbally and physically abusive and she is now totally dependent on him for her basic care needs. She also mentioned he does not want her going to the day centre because of the cost. I am concerned that Mr Adams is preventing his wife receiving care and support services against her wishes. She had been making progress both in her communication and physical movement.
Mrs Adams is becoming increasingly isolated. She is not having her care and support needs met; for example, basic care, receiving the speech and language and occupational therapy provided by the day centre and her physical condition is likely to deteriorate as a consequence. I am also concerned that I was not allowed to see Mrs Adams because she may be suffering domestic abuse.
I discussed this case with our agency safeguarding lead and we agreed I have sufficient information to make a duty to report as a ‘relevant partner’, of possible emotional abuse without Mrs Adams’s consent because to do so may place her at potential risk of harm.
Why: I am concerned about Mrs Adams’s care and the possible risk to her safety, health and well-being as she is in the home with her husband who is not allowing anyone to see her and appears to have a history of violence towards her.
What: I have discussed and made a referral over the phone to social services and followed it up with a written referral.
Who: I spoke to the duty social worker who is contacting the police as a crime may have been committed.
When: I am waiting the seven working days for an acknowledgement. If I do not receive this I will contact again.
Where: Mrs Adams will be seen in her home.
The social services department have agreed to undertake inquiries with the police and will let me know if they require any further information, if I need to attend a conference and how they think Mrs Adams’s needs can best be met.
N.B. This example is fictitious