Definition of Organisational Abuse

Serious Concern - A single issue, or an accumulation of issues in relation to the operation of a care provider, or the quality of care provided by an organisation, which puts service users, staff or visitors to the service at serious risk.

Organisational Abuse - Includes neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.

Complex Case - A case that meets the criteria for a Safeguarding Adults Review, as defined by the Care Act 2014. Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs) must arrange a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) when an adult in its area:

• dies either as a result of abuse or neglect, whether known or suspected, and there is concern that partner agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult; or
• has not died, but the Safeguarding Adult Board knows or suspects that the adult has experienced serious abuse or neglect, and there is concern that partner agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult.