Organisational

Organisational abuse – including 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.

The following list may be possible indicators of institutional abuse - it is important not to jump to the wrong conclusions too quickly.

• No flexibility in bed time routine and/or deliberate waking
• People left on the commode or toilet for long periods of time
• Inappropriate care of possessions, clothing and living area
• Lack of personal clothes and belongings
• Un-homely or stark living environments
• Deprived environmental conditions and lack of stimulation
• Inappropriate use of medical procedures e.g. enemas, catheterisation
• 'Batch care' - lack of individual care programmes
• Illegal confinement or restrictions
• Inappropriate use of power or control
• People referred to, or spoken to with disrespect
• Inflexible services based, on convenience of the provider rather than the person receiving services
• Inappropriate physical intervention
• Service user removed from the home or establishment, without discussion with other appropriate people or agencies, because staff are unable to manage the behaviours