Maritime City: using serious gaming to deliver child protection training

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-42
Author(s):  
Jonathon Davies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuses the development and application of Maritime City, a developing virtual urban community created by the University of Greenwich to supplement the delivery of child protection training. Design/methodology/approach – Maritime City is a “serious game” developed by the University of Greenwich to deliver child protection training to health and social care professionals working with children and their families. This discussion paper will consider the practice landscape for these professionals and their training needs for working with families where children are at risk of harm. This paper will also consider some of the innovative pedagogical approaches to providing this training through the use of a serious game. Finally, this paper will also share some of the thinking behind the work and several of the learning activities that have been used with students. Findings – Maritime City offers a safe, new medium to explore and reflect upon child protection assessment in a family situation. It offers health and social care professionals, at all stages of their careers, a unique opportunity to evaluate child protection issues. Amongst its advantages, Maritime City gives professionals involved in child protection the opportunity to evaluate and re-evaluate a case without putting children or service users at risk. As the game is in the early stages of use further evaluations are required to discern its effects on practice. Originality/value – Maritime offers a unique opportunity of completing a child protection home visit using a range of tools to help participants draw on their own experiences and those of others to prepare them for working with children and families.

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Musselwhite

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how older people who are almost entirely housebound use a view from their window to make sense of the world and stay connected to the outside space that they cannot physically inhabit. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews with 42 individuals were carried out who were living at home, were relatively immobile and had an interesting view outside they liked from one or more of their windows. Findings The findings suggest that immobile older people enjoy watching a motion-full, changing, world going on outside of their own mobility and interact and create meaning and sense, relating themselves to the outside world. Practical implications Findings suggest that those working in health and social care must realise the importance of older people observing the outdoors and create situations where that is enabled and maintained through improving vantage points and potentially using technology. Originality/value This study builds and updates work by Rowles (1981) showing that preference for views from the window involves the immediate surveillance zone but also further afield. The view can be rural or urban but should include a human element from which older people can interact through storytelling. The view often contains different flows, between mundane and mystery and intrigue, and between expected and random.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 590-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneli Hujala ◽  
Sanna Laulainen ◽  
Kajsa Lindberg

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide background to this special issue and consider how critically oriented research can be applied to health and social care management. Design/methodology/approach – Basic principles of critical management studies are introduced briefly to frame subsequent papers in this issue. Findings – In order to identify the wicked problems and darker sides of the care field, there is a need to study things in alternative ways through critical lenses. Giving a voice to those in less powerful positions may result in redefinition and redesign of conventional roles and agency of patients, volunteers and professionals and call into question the taken-for-granted understanding of health and social care management. Originality/value – The special issue as a whole was designed to enhance critical approaches to the discussion in the field of health and social care. This editorial hopefully raises awareness of CMS and serves as an opening for further discussion on critical views in the research on management and organization in this field.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailsa Cameron ◽  
Lisa Bostock ◽  
Rachel Lart

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an update to a review of the joint working literature in the field of health and social care for adults, with particular emphasis given to the experiences of users and carers. Design/methodology/approach – The aims of the literature review remained largely the same as those of the original, they were to identify: models of joint working, evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and the factors promoting or hindering the models. However, to reflect the growing interest in the experiences of users and carers a fourth aim was added to map these experiences. Given their prominence in terms of policy debates about integration, the review focused on jointly organised services for older people and people with mental health problems in the UK only. Findings – The review demonstrates tentative signs that some initiatives designed to join-up or integrate services can deliver outcomes desired by government. Importantly some studies that report the experiences of users of services and carers suggest that they perceive benefits from efforts to join-up or integrate services. However it is our contention that the evidence is less than compelling and does not justify the faith invested in the strategy by current or previous governments. Originality/value – The study updates our knowledge of the impact of joint working in the field of health and social care for adults. Importantly the paper highlights what is known about the experiences of users and carers of joint/integrated services.


2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 411-420
Author(s):  
Tim Spencer-Lane

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to summarise the Law Commissions’ final report and draft Bill on the regulation of health and social care professionals. Design/methodology/approach – To summarise the key recommendations that are relevant to adult safeguarding. Findings – The final report concludes that new legislation is needed to govern the UK regulators of health and social care professionals. Originality/value – The paper sets out the recommended new legal framework.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Lennard

Purpose – As a healthcare professional caring for people who lack capacity, the author has noted a wide variation in knowledge and awareness by staff of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The purpose of this paper is to examine the DoLS and the background to their coming into being, describes their operation and qualifying requirements, and the continuing problems with their application nationwide. Design/methodology/approach – Utilising a literature search of government papers, official reports of statutory bodies, and critical studies, it examines the central criticisms of DoLS, particularly the lack of a clear statutory definition of deprivation of liberty, and reports on the wide variation in knowledge of the legislation by staff in health and social care, and uneven application of the safeguards nationwide. Findings – It cites evidence from studies showing that even professionals with high levels of expertise in the field find the legislation confusing, and presents testimony from legal experts that case law has failed to clarify the issues for professionals. Originality/value – Finally, it argues that the legislation is now too complex to successfully amend, and tentatively suggests that, pending a government review to make the process more understandable, health care professionals make ‘precautionary’ applications for DoLS. The author argues that, notwithstanding its faults, the process is a worthwhile exercise in care planning and ensuring that people's care is in their best interests and the least restrictive available.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sundari Joseph ◽  
Susan Klein ◽  
Samantha McCluskey ◽  
Penny Woolnough ◽  
Lesley Diack

Purpose Collaborative inter-agency working is of paramount importance for the public protection agenda worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the findings from a research study on the inter-agency working within adult support and protection (ASP) roles in the police, health and social care. Design/methodology/approach This realistic evaluation study with two inter-related phases was funded by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research. This paper reports on Phase 1 which identified existing gaps in the implementation of effective inter-agency practice by reviewing the “state of play” in inter-agency collaboration between the police and health and social care professionals. In total, 13 focus groups comprising representatives from Police Scotland (n=52), Social Care (n=31) and Health (n=18), engaged in single profession and mixed profession groups addressing issues including referral and information exchange. Findings On analysing context-mechanism-outcome (CMO), gaps in joint working were identified and attributed to the professionals’ own understanding of inter-agency working and the expectations of partner agencies. It recommended the need for further research and inter-agency training on public protection. Research limitations/implications This unique Scottish study successfully identified the inter-agency practices of health, social services and police. By means of a modified realistic evaluation approach, it provides an in-depth understanding of the challenges that professionals face on a day-to-day basis when safeguarding adults and informed strategic recommendations to overcome the barriers to good practices in organisational working. The methods used to determine CMO could benefit other researchers to develop studies exploring the complexities of multi-causal effects of cross-boundary working. The use of the same case study in each focus group helped to neutralise bias. However, the voluntary nature of participation could have resulted in biased perceptions. The limited numbers of health professionals may have resulted in less representation of health sector views. Practical implications This paper reports on a Scottish study that focused on the coordinated and integrated practices amongst the police, health and social services’ professionals who support and protect adult members of society at risk of harm and has implications for their practice. Social implications Whilst the focus of this study has been on ASP, the conclusions and recommendations are transferable to public protection issues in many other contexts. Originality/value Studies on the joint-working practices amongst police and health and social services’ professionals who support and protect adult members of society at risk of harm are uncommon. This study investigated professionals’ perceptions of gaps and concerns pertaining to integrated working by means of a realistic evaluation approach. It recommended the need for further research and inter-agency training on public protection.


2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-51
Author(s):  
David Hewitt

Purpose – This paper aims to consider the recent consultation on a new safeguarding power of entry and seeks to provide a critique of the government's conclusions in that regard. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses the report of the consultation exercise and sets it against those of earlier, comparable ones. Findings – The government's conclusions were supported by only a minority of respondents. A majority of respondents, and an overwhelming majority of health and social care professionals, came to a very different conclusion. Originality/value – This is believed to be the first time the government's conclusions have been analysed in this way or placed in their present context.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Kaehne ◽  
Andrea Beacham ◽  
Julie Feather

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline the current thinking on co-production in health and social care, examine the challenges in implementing genuine co-production and argue for a pragmatic version of co-production that may assist programme managers in deciding which type of co-production is most suitable for which programme. Design/methodology/approach A discussion paper based on the professional and academic knowledge and insights of the authors. A focus group interview schedule was used to guide discussions between authors. Findings The authors argue for a pragmatic approach to co-production within integrated care programmes. The authors set out the basic parameters of such an approach containing procedural rather than substantive standards for co-production activities leaving sufficient room for specific manifestations of the practice in particular contexts. Practical implications The authors put forward a pragmatic model of co-production that defines the essential elements of a process for ensuring services are designed to meet with the needs of patients yet allowing the process itself to be adapted to different circumstances. Originality/value The paper summarises the discussion on co-production in relation to integration programmes. It formulates a pragmatic model of co-production that may assist programme managers in establishing good practice co-production frameworks when designing or implementing integrated health and social care services.


2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthea Tinker ◽  
Nesar Gilani ◽  
Isabella Luthra ◽  
Olivia Richardson ◽  
Alexander Howells ◽  
...  

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to start a debate about older people who are in groups that are not readily visible to policy makers and practitioners. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on information obtained from academic literature, government statistics and other publications from relevant organisations. The authors investigated one “invisible” group each and comparisons and conclusions were then made collaboratively. Findings – Many groups of older people seem to be absent from statistics and from policy making. The paper suggests that there needs to be more research to identify the scale of any problems and how they may be solved. Research limitations/implications – This is not a systematic review but a preliminary account of the problem. Practical implications – There are practical implications for health and social care professionals if they do not recognise that there are groups in society about whom little is known. Lack of knowledge and empathy may affect their approach to these groups. Social implications – There are implications for society if these groups are not taken into account in decision making and especially over the allocation of resources. Originality/value – There is little written which brings together the lack of attention paid to these groups as a whole.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 619-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Andersson ◽  
Ewa Wikström

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse how accounts of collaboration practice were made and used to construct accountability in the empirical context of coordination associations, a Swedish form of collaboration between four authorities in health and social care. They feature pooled budgets, joint leadership and joint reporting systems, intended to facilitate both collaboration and (shared) accountability. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical data were collected in field observations in local, regional and national settings. In addition, the study is based on analysis of local association documents such as evaluations and annual reports, and analysis of national agency reports. Findings – Accountability is constructed hierarchically with a narrow focus on performance, and horizontal (shared) accountability as well as outcomes are de-emphasised. Through this narrow construction of accountability the coordination associations are re-created as hierarchical and accountability is delegated rather than shared. Research limitations/implications – Features such as pooled budgets, joint leadership and joint reporting systems can support collaboration but do not necessarily translate into shared accountability if accountability is interpreted and constructed hierarchically. Practical implications – When practice conforms to what is counted and accounted for, using the hierarchical and narrow construction of accountability, the result may be that the associations become an additional authority. That would increase rather than decrease fragmentation in the field. Originality/value – This research derives from first-hand observations of actor-to-actor episodes complemented with the analysis of documents and reports. It provides critical analysis of the construction and evaluation of accounts and accountability related to practice and performance in collaboration. The main contribution is the finding that despite the conditions intended to facilitate inter-organisational collaboration and horizontal accountability, the hierarchical accountability persisted.


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