Working Life: Working to ensure vulnerable people are given the right support

Gillian McConnell, social work team leader, HSE Dublin and South-East

Gillian McConnell, Social Work Team Leader, HSE, photographed at Ballinteer Health Centre. Photogaph: Moya Nolan

“As a 12-year-old in Clonmel, I volunteered at a summer camp for children with disabilities. I distinctly remember coming home and telling my parents that I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up.

“I still recall two of the young people who attended that camp and, unbeknownst to them, started me on my life’s path.

“I spent a large part of my career working with children and families before moving to adult safeguarding in 2019. I now work in Co Dublin with older people and adults with disabilities at risk of abuse.

“This can be financial abuse, where, for example, adult children consider their parents’ money their own, leaving elderly parents without adequate food, heat, or comfort. I recall going into a house on a December afternoon where an elderly couple sat in a dark, cold sitting room with no access to food. Despite this, they greeted me with kindness and spoke of their good fortune. The resilience of this population is so humbling.

“Sometimes the abuse is physical or psychological, where a partner or child cannot cope with the increased needs of their loved ones, resulting in physical injury, unmet personal care needs, or leaving the person feeling like they’re a burden. In such cases, our teams work to support family members to ensure the vulnerable person is offered appropriate supports, while their family are also offered support.

“Sexual abuse in older people does occur, and it’s an area we need to continue to recognise and speak about.

“Adult safeguarding is complex. Our teams look to implement positive change to improve the quality of life of the person being referred while recognising that those providing the care are often doing their best in difficult circumstances.

“After work, I enjoy family life, catch up with friends, including those I run and walk with to solve the problems of the world.

“World Elder Abuse Awareness Day takes place each year on June 15. This year’s campaign theme is ‘Loneliness and social isolation’, both well-established predictors of maltreatment.”

If you have concerns for someone you know or if you believe you may be a victim of abuse, please contact your local safeguarding team. Details at: exa.mn/hse-safeguarding-adults

• The HSE National Safeguarding Office is hosting a free online seminar on Tuesday at 11am. 
• Entitled Connection is Protection, it is available via the following registration link: exa.mn/safeguarding-adult-seminar