Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children 1 Flashcards

Under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014, which statement best describes a local authority's adult safeguarding duty?

Answer: To make enquiries, or cause enquiries to be made, when an adult with care and support needs may be at risk of abuse or neglect

Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 places a statutory duty on local authorities to make (or cause to be made) enquiries when an adult with care and support needs may be at risk of abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves, regardless of mental capacity or whether the adult consents to enquiry.

A nurse at a GP practice confirms that a girl under 18 has undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Under the Serious Crime Act 2015, what action is legally required?

Answer: Report to the police as soon as reasonably practicable

The Serious Crime Act 2015 introduced a mandatory reporting duty requiring regulated health and social care professionals to report directly to the police when they identify that FGM has been carried out on a girl under 18. This duty is absolute and cannot be deferred pending family discussion or parental consent.

A patient discloses ongoing domestic abuse but explicitly requests that the nurse keep all information confidential. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Explain the limits of confidentiality, then share information without consent only where there is serious risk of significant harm, following Caldicott Principles and the NMC Code

Confidentiality is not absolute in safeguarding. The NMC Code and Caldicott Principles permit — and in some cases require — disclosure without consent when there is a serious risk of significant harm to the individual or others. The nurse must first explain these limits to the patient and act proportionately to the level of risk identified.

A community nurse visiting an elderly man notices several potential indicators of financial abuse. Which of the following findings is most characteristic of this abuse type?

Answer: Sudden changes to a will or power of attorney, unpaid bills despite adequate income, and unexplained missing funds

Financial abuse involves the unauthorised or improper use of money, property, or assets. Classic indicators include abrupt alterations to legal documents such as wills or lasting powers of attorney, unexplained financial transactions, bills going unpaid despite sufficient funds, and disappearance of money or possessions — often perpetrated by someone in a position of trust.

Which professional or agency holds lead statutory responsibility for conducting a Section 47 enquiry under the Children Act 1989?

Answer: Children's Social Care within the local authority

Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 places the duty to enquire squarely on the local authority (Children's Social Care) when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. Health professionals and police are required to cooperate and assist, but Children's Social Care leads and coordinates the enquiry.

A nurse is caring for an adult with a severe learning disability who lacks capacity to consent to a proposed surgical procedure. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which principle must guide the decision?

Answer: The least restrictive option that is in the person's best interests must be chosen, with input from those who know them well

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 requires that any decision made for a person who lacks capacity must be in their best interests and must represent the least restrictive option available. The decision-making process must involve people who know the person — such as family members, carers, or an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate — although next of kin do not hold automatic legal authority to consent on behalf of an adult.