Application of Discretion by Social Care Workers to Safeguard People with Learning Disabilities

: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

Safeguarding service users (SUs), including people with learning disabilities (PWLDs), is of paramount priority in residential home settings. There is a need to establish how social care workers (SCWs) safeguard their service users. This study aimed to explore social care workers' experiences on the use of discretion in safeguarding people with learning disabilities in residential homes. This was achieved through the following objectives:
● To explore and explain social care workers’ thoughts, experiences and perspectives
when safeguarding people with learning disabilities in residential homes.
● To establish from the perspective of social care workers the extent to which they apply discretion in safeguarding their service users.
● To produce a recommendation that can contribute to good practice and quality service provision in the care profession.
This study adopted a qualitative approach and constructivist grounded theory (CGT). Thirteen social care workers working with people with learning disabilities in residential homes were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Data were transcribed and analysed in keeping with constructivist grounded theory analysis. The findings presented a pathway to applying discretion. Social care workers used discretion, but it was not automatic as they needed to know and form working relationships with their service users before they could apply discretion to safeguard. The use of discretion was found to be influential in safeguarding and maintaining the service users' stability. The study also found that safeguarding is person- centred, and therefore, not all social care workers’ experiences are transferable when working with new service users. Using tools to safeguard people with learning disabilities is unreliable because of their shortcomings; hence, discretion is influenced by the desire to safeguard service users proactively. This study led to the construction of the substantive theory. The new knowledge highlights the importance of social care workers’ safeguarding experiences and raises the opportunity for further research on the effectiveness of applying discretion to safeguard service users.

Date of Award	30 Apr 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Portsmouth
Supervisor	Jenny Roddis (Supervisor), Jason Oakley (Supervisor) & Rebecca Stores (Supervisor)