‘It just adds that other dimension to your decision making’: findings from a UK study with adult safeguarding practitioners of a pilot forensic service to support adult safeguarding
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Purpose This study explored the contribution of a Forensic Service for adult safeguarding introduced in one geographic area. This service introduced the role of Forensic Medical Examiner (FME) to examine and interpret injuries when there are concerns that these may have non-accidental causes. This paper explores the perspectives of adult safeguarding Social Workers and the FME about their experiences of the service and how it supported their decision-making and safeguarding practice. Methodology Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the FME and Social Workers from safeguarding adults teams. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Four themes were generated through the analysis. These highlighted the challenges for Social Workers and other practitioners in identifying whether a non-accidental injury has occurred; the role of forensic information in enhancing knowledge and understanding; the contribution of forensic information to safeguarding decision making and activity; Social Worker and FME experiences of working together within the new service. Originality The Forensic Service is, to the best of our understanding, the first service of its kind within the United Kingdom. It appears to represent a unique response to the challenges of interpreting injuries and determining when these may be non-accidental, and attributable to physical abuse or neglect.
Source: medRxiv
Authors: Caroline White, Dave Marsland
Institutions: University of Hull, Hull York Medical School
Language: English
Topic: Elder Abuse and Neglect
Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: NHS England
OpenAlex ID: W7223271991