Abstract
In this chapter we shall be exploring the ultimate dilemma in social work. At what point can someone’s rights to make their own decisions about their own care be overridden? When is it right to deprive someone of their liberty in order to protect them from themselves? At what point should caring professionals intervene to oblige someone to accept help even if they have declared that they do not wish to receive this help?
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Further reading
Barnes, M. and Maple, N. (1992) Women and Mental Health, Venture Press, Birmingham.
Jones, R. (1996) Mental Health Act Manual, 5th edn, Butterworths, London.
Marshall, M. (1990) Social Work with Old People, Macmillan, Basingstoke.
Copyright information
© 1999 Robert Johns and Andrew Sedgwick
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Johns, R., Sedgwick, A. (1999). Protecting People from Themselves. In: Law for Social Work Practice. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14473-0_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14473-0_7
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-69378-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-14473-0
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)