4.2 Safeguarding

Keeping people safe – sometimes described as ‘safeguarding’ – is an important part of a professional’s job. Parents of people with learning disabilities also report the dilemmas they face in supporting their adult children to take risks, while wanting to protect them from harm.

It is a difficult balancing act. Under the law, people with learning disabilities in the UK can make ‘unwise decisions’ if they have capacity (Scotland. Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000; England and Wales. Mental Capacity Act (England, Wales), 2005; Northern Ireland. Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016). This can include decisions about relationships. But if someone supporting a person with learning disabilities is concerned that the relationship is putting the individual in danger, how can this dilemma then be resolved?

Figure 4 Empowering people while keeping them safe can be a difficult balancing act

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The photograph shows a man with learning disabilities with his arm around a woman with learning disabilities. They appear to be a couple.

Figure 4 Empowering people while keeping them safe can be a difficult balancing act

The Local Government Association has developed a policy called ‘Making Safeguarding Personal’ (Lawson, 2017). This is about supporting people with learning disabilities to take positive risks, while safeguarding their own wellbeing, wherever possible. It doesn't mean the risk of abuse goes away, but it is an approach that is based upon human rights and focuses on empowering people to make informed decisions.

Loving relationships are important to most people. People with learning disabilities have the same rights as others to be in relationships. But family members, supporters and professionals must also be alert to when people are at risk of abuse. It is important that people with learning disabilities are given the support, information and advice they need to make informed decisions about their relationships.