Organisational Abuse Guidance
The annual performance report for 2020/21 identified a 5% increase in organisational abuse in Stoke-on-Trent, a multi-agency audit identified that there was a lack of clarity and understanding of what organisational abuse is and it was therefore over-recorded. This guidance has been produced to better inform practitioners what organisational abuse is. The organisational abuse section of the Ann Craft Trust website has been used to inform the contents of this guidance.
The term “organisational abuse” refers to neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting.
This briefing will look at the definition of organisational abuse and will provide guidance on how to spot the signs, and what to do if you suspect it’s taking place.
Organisational Abuse Definition
The Care Act defines organisational abuse (or institutional abuse as it is sometimes referred to) as one of the 10 types of abuse and neglect. It includes neglect and poor care practice within a specific care setting. This could be a hospital or a care home, but also the care received in an adult’s own home.
Examples of Organisational Abuse
Organisational abuse doesn’t have to involve physical violence. It can be something as small as insisting that a person in care must drink their tea at the same time every day.
This is the sort of thing that many take for granted. But when the right to choose is taken away, it can count as abuse.
The abuse can either be a one-off incident or an ongoing culture of ill-treatment and can take many forms, including neglect, and poor professional practices as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices in an organisation.
Here are some forms the abuse might take:
- Inappropriate use of power or control
- Inappropriate confinement, restraint, or restriction
- Lack of choice – in food, in decoration, in lighting and heating, and in other environmental aspects
- Lack of personal clothing or possessions
- No flexibility of schedule, particularly with bedtimes
- Financial abuse
- Physical or verbal abuse.
This list is by no means exhaustive. It’s important to be aware of the signs of institutional abuse.
Signs of Organisational Abuse
These are examples of situations which may indicate that organisational abuse is taking place:
- An unsafe, unhygienic, or overcrowded environment
- A strict or inflexible routine
- Lack of privacy, dignity, and respect for people as individuals
- Withdrawing people from community or family contacts
- No choice offered with food, drink, dress, or activities
- No respect or provisions for religion, belief, or cultural backgrounds
- Treating adults like children, including arbitrary decision-making
Other indicators include bruises, and restraint. Another big warning sign is an organisation that discourages visits, or the involvement of friends and relatives.
Why Does Organisational Abuse Happen?
Like all types of abuse, there is no single cause of organisational abuse. It generally happens in institutions where staff are:
- Poorly trained
- Poorly supervised
- Unsupported by management, or otherwise unaccountable
- Bad at communicating
Organisational abuse can involve more than one abuser. Though a culture that doesn’t recognise or respond to the actions of a lone abuser can be just as harmful to the adult at risk.
What Should You Do If You Think Organisational Abuse Is Happening?
Do you think institutional abuse is happening in a care home you’ve visited, or even in your own home?
If the organisational abuse involves adults, there are numerous people you can contact. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be able to advise you on the best course of action to take.
Even if you’re not completely sure that abuse is happening, it’s still worth letting people know. It’s better to be wrong than to let the abuse continue.
To report organisational, or any other type of abuse in Stoke-on-Trent;
Telephone: 0800 561 0015 at any time
Minicom: 01782 236037
If the adult lives in Staffordshire;
Telephone: 0345 604 2719 (Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm, Fridays 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding Bank Holidays) or 0345 604 2886 at any other time
Don’t worry if you are not sure, the person on the phone will help you to forward your concerns to the right team.