Organisational or Institutional Abuse
Organisational or institutional abuse is the mistreatment of people typically in their workplace brought about by poor or inadequate care or support, or systematic poor practice that affects the whole care setting. It occurs when the individual’s wishes and needs are sacrificed for the smooth running of a group, service or organisation.
Harrow Council
Everyone working within your Religious Life Group should ensure they are familiar with the Indicators and Signs of Organisational or Institutional Abuse…
Discouraging visits or the involvement of relatives or friends
Run-down or overcrowded establishment
Authoritarian management or rigid regimes
Lack of leadership and supervision
Insufficient staff or high turnover resulting in poor quality care
Abusive and disrespectful attitudes towards people using the service
Inappropriate use of restraints and/or misuse of medication
Lack of respect for dignity and privacy
Failure to manage residents with abusive behaviour
Not providing adequate food and drink, or assistance with eating
Not offering choice or promoting independence
Failure to provide care with dentures, spectacles or hearing aids
Not taking account of individuals’ cultural, religious or ethnic needs
Failure to respond to abuse appropriately
Interference with personal correspondence or communication
Failure to respond to complaints
I knew I couldn’t stay in a company where the standards were so low…It was just failure after failure.
‘Mia’ – Children’s Care Home Worker
Lack of flexibility and choice for people using the service
Inadequate staffing levels
People being hungry or dehydrated
Poor standards of care
Lack of personal clothing and possessions and communal use of personal items
Lack of adequate procedures
Poor record-keeping and missing documents
Absence of visitors
Few social, recreational and educational activities
Public discussion of personal matters
Unnecessary exposure during bathing or using the toilet
Absence of individual care plans
Lack of management overview and support
Support for those who have experienced or been affected by Organisational or Institutional Abuse
https://www.cqc.org.uk/contact-us/report-concern
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/problems-with-care