Glasgow City HSCP
Health & Social Care Partnership
StatementofBestPractice
JointWorkingbetweenGlasgow Health and Social Care PartnershipandRegisteredSocialLandlords
ADULTSUPPORTANDPROTECTION
1. PurposeofStatement
Toestablish aunifiedapproach indealingwithadultprotection concernsacrossall sociallyrentedhousinginGlasgowCity. Thestatement setsouttherolesand responsibilities of Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)andRegistered SocialLandlord(RSL)staffoperatinginGlasgowCity. Thisstatementispartofa suiteofbestpracticestatements.
Thestatementissupplementedbythefollowingappendices:
•Appendix1: AdultProtectionGuidanceNote
•Appendix2: AdultProtectionGuidancefactorsthatmayindicateharmful behaviour
•Appendix 3: Community based referral contacts and Glasgow and Partners Emergency Social Work ServicesforinitialcontactbyRSLs
•Appendix4: AdultSupportandProtectionActflowchart
•AdultProtectionReferralForm(AP1)
2. Introduction
2.1Theprotectionofadultsatriskofharmisnotanoptionbutaresponsibility acrossagencies. Ourexpectationforall“atrisk”adults inourcommunitiesis thatthey are empowered, through support from all public services including Health and SocialCare, Police andHousingtobefreefrom anypreventableharmorexploitation.Theyareenabledtomaketheirown choicesabouttheirlivesandtoliveasindependently astheirpersonal circumstancesmaypermit. RSLs arecommittedtotheprotectionofadults at riskofharm.
2.2InScotland,therearethreeActsoftheScottishParliamentwhichrelate specificallytoadultprotection.Theseare:
•AdultswithIncapacity(Scotland)Act,2000.ThisActimposesduties on,andassignsfunctionsto,localauthorities inrelationto inquiries inrespectofadultswholackcapacity, andthecreation, applicationandsupervisionofproxydecisionmakingpowersinrespectof suchadults.
•Mental Health (Care Treatment) Scotland Act, 2003. This Act imposesdutieson,andassignsfunctionsto,localauthorities andhealth boardsinrespectofsocialandmentalhealthwellbeing,themakingof inquiriesinrespectofpersonswhoappeartohaveamentaldisorder,
and (wherenecessary)theapplicationofcompulsorymeasuresinrelation totheassessmentandtreatmentofpersonshavingamentaldisorder.
•AdultSupportandProtection(Scotland)Act2007.ThisAct imposes dutieson,andassignsfunctionsto,localauthorities inrespectof makinginquiries,theconductofinvestigations, theapplication for protectivepowersinrespectofadultsdefinedbythelegislationtobeat riskofactualorsuspectedharm.ThisActalsobroughtaboutthecreation ofAdultProtectionCommitteesineverylocalauthorityarea.
2.3It is the responsibilityof adult protectionagenciessuch as the HSCP andthepolicetomakeinquiries(proactiveandreactive)andto carryoutappropriateinvestigationsinordertoestablish:
(a)whetherornotanadultisatriskfromharmorsuspectedharmand,ifso, (b) which, if any, of the protective measures available in terms of the
legislationaremostappropriatetoanadultatrisk’sindividualcircumstances.
Itis everyone’sresponsibilitytoreportconcernsregardingany adultwhois,orappearstobe,atriskofharmtoSocialCareServices.If youareconcerned thatavulnerable adultisatriskofexposuretocriminal activitysuchasfraudthenpolicemustbenotifiedaswellasSocialCare. Inorder toavoid confusionandtohave clearlines ofaccountability, RSLstaffshouldreportconcerns directlytotheirlinemanager inthefirst instance.
3.DefinitionsandApplicationofthe ASP Act
3.1ForthepurposesoftheAdult(SupportProtection)(Scotland)Act2007 (“ASPAct”),an“adult”isapersonaged16orover. However,iftheadult is16or17yearsofage,itispossiblethats/heissubjectalready toaSupervisionOrderorotherOrderundertheChildren(Scotland)Act,
1989,orotherSocialCareorchildcarelegislation. Ifhousingstaffknowthat suchanOrderisinplaceinrespect ofthatperson, theyshouldinclude that informationintheirreporttotheirlinemanager.It istheresponsibilityofSocial CareServicestocarryoutanyinvestigations aboutanyonewhomaybe subjecttosuchanOrder.Section4setsoutthereportingguidelines.
3.2TheASPActdefines“adultsatrisk”asadultswho:
•Areunabletosafeguardtheirownwell-being,property,rightsorother interests
• Areatriskofharmand
•Becausetheyare affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physicalormentalinfirmityaremorevulnerable tobeingharmedthan adultswhoarenotsoaffected
3.3Thepresenceofaparticularconditiondoesnotautomaticallymeanan “adultat risk”. Someonemay havea disabilitybut be fully able to safeguardtheirwell-being. Itisimportanttostressthatallthreeelementsof thedefinitionabovemustbemetforanadulttobean“adultatrisk”.
The ASPAct statesharmincludesall harmfulconductand in particular;
- Conductwhichcausesphysicalharm
- Conductwhichcausespsychologicalharm(forexamplebycausing fear, alarmordistress)
- Unlawfulconductwhichappropriatesoradverselyaffectsproperty,rights orinterests(forexample:theft,fraud,embezzlementorextortion)
- Conductwhichcausesself-harm
(Somefurthercategoriesandindicatorsofharmfulbehaviourtoanadultat riskare attachedatAppendix2).
3.5Adultsdeemedtobeatriskofharm,asdefinedundertheASPAct,come withinthescopeandapplicationofthisbestpracticestatement.
Thereisaclearrequirement acrossagenciestoco-operateinrelationto theprotection ofadultsseentobeatriskofharm. RSLsshouldensure appropriatemechanismsare inplacefor staffto reportanyconcernstoSocial CareServicesand/orthePolice,as maybe appropriatein thecircumstances. RSLsshouldalsoensurethatappropriatemechanismsare inplaceinrelation toanyongoinginvolvement andassistancebythem,inconsultation withthe relevantstatutoryagencies,towardseffectiveriskmanagement.
Toensureappropriateprotectivemeasurescanbeputinplace,itis recognisedthatconfidential information willneedtobesharedwithother workers,managersandotheragenciesona“needtoknow”basis.
Staffhaveaduty toreportconcernsaboutanadultthoughttobeatrisk of harm(asdefinedintheASPAct).
4.ReportingGuidelines
4.1Anyconcernsamemberofhousingstaffmayhaveregardingthesafetyand wellbeingofanadultatriskofharmshouldbebroughttotheattentionof theirlinemanagerimmediately.
4.2TheLineManagermust
- Ensureproperrecordsaremadeandkeptofallrelevantreports,concerns, incidents,riskassessmentsandriskmanagementstrategies.
- Ensureprompt(orwhereappropriate,immediate)reportingofsignificant concernstotheleadinvestigating agencies,beingSocialCareServices and/orPolice Scotland.ContactsaregiveninAppendix3.
- Report if the person is known to need medical attention
ThereferralshouldbeacknowledgedbySocial Care servicesand/orPolice Scotland bytheendofthenextworking dayand,untilthattime,thelinemanager retainsadutyofcare.
4.3 Out of Hours
There may be occasions where there are concerns about an adult’ssafety andwellbeing(asdefined byTheAct)outwith normal working hoursandthelinemanagerisnotavailable.Insuchinstances,adirect referralto Glasgow and Partners Emergency Social Work Services (previously Standby Services) shouldbemade. Thisshouldbesupplemented byafullreporttothelinemangeronthefollowingworkingday.Appendix 3 setsoutthecontactdetails.
Glasgow and Partners Emergency Social Work Services willactuponthereferralandfollowupwithafullreportto Social Care Services.SCSwillacknowledge thereferralonthenextworkingdayfollowing receiptofthereportfromStandbyServices.
Note:Whereareferringpartneragencyhasconcernastotheimmediate safetyof anadultatrisktheymustimmediatelyadvisetheappropriateemergencyservice.
5. ResolutionofDisputes
5.1Inthecaseofanydisputesorconcernsabouthowareferralhasbeen dealtwith,RSLsshould refertotheHeadofSocialCareServicesinthe appropriatelocality.
AdultProtectionGuidanceNote
IncidentInformingandReporting
•Anyreportthatanadultmaybeatriskofharm,including anonymousreferrals, shouldbetakenseriously. Allcasesshouldbeconsideredwithanopenmind. Inallinstances,theinformationgivenmustbereportedimmediately toa designatedpersoninseniormanagement.
•Itisimportanttorecordthedetailsofanyconcernsyoumayhaveinrelationto anadultatriskofharm, including the need for medical attention. Anynotestakenshouldbesignedanddatedand madeavailabletothedesignatedseniormanagerattheearliestopportunity.
•Where a member of staff directly observes occurrences ofharm,orbehaviourlikelytocauseharm,thismustbe recordedandimmediatelybroughttotheattentionoftheappropriatemanager.
- Whereinformation isgiventostaffoutofhoursitmustbepassedtoGlasgow and Partners Emergency Social Work Services.(seeappendix3forcontactdetails)
•StaffmakingcontactwithSocialCareServicesand/orthePolicemustmakea noteofthefollowing:
(a)The date and time that contact was made. Where contact cannot immediately bemade,thereasonforthismustberecorded.Detailsofall unsuccessfulattemptstomakecontactmustalsoberecorded.
(b)Name,addressandfulldetailsofthosecontacted.
(c)Details of who should be contacted for future follow-up/agreedfurther action.
WhatifitissomeonewithinyourRSLthatyouareconcernedabout?
•IfyouhaveobservedRSLstaffactinginawaythathascausedyoutobe concerned andfeelthematterneedstobeinvestigated furtherunderAdult SupportandProtectionyoushouldcontacttheDirector/ChiefExecutiveor yourManagerorTeamLeader, outliningyourconcerns. Theywilltakeyourconcernsseriously,makeappropriateenquiresanddecideontheappropriatecourseofaction. Youshouldalsowish torefertoanyofyouragency’sinternalpoliciesandprocedures.
SupportingtheAdultatRiskofHarm
•Itisimportantthatallemployeesandthose involveddirectlywiththeadult seen tobeatriskofharmactthroughoutina facilitatingandsupportivemanner.Staff shouldavoidbeingjudgementalandshouldnotintroducepersonalorthird partyexperiences ofharm. Everyeffortshouldbemadetoenabletheadultto expresstheirwishesandtomakedecisionstothebestoftheirabilitywhere appropriate,but,withinadutyofcare.
Confidentiality
•Whereanadultisseentobeatriskofharm,thiswillalwaysoverridea professionalororganisational requirementtokeepinformationconfidential, subjectalwaystotheprovisions oftheDataProtection Act1998. Itistheresponsibility ofthose employedorinvolvedwithRSLorganisations totakeappropriateactionto ensuretheadultdeemedtobeatriskisprotectedfromharm.
RoleofSeniorManagersSocialCareServices
•Allconcernsofanadultprotectionnatureshouldbereportedvia Social Care Direct for Glasgow City.SocialCareServices willseektoallocatethe matter toamemberofstaffwhohassufficientknowledgeandexpertiseto dealwith concernsraised. Itwillbetheresponsibilityofthedesignated RSLmanagertoensurethatallinstancesofallegedorsuspected harmtoan adultseentobeatriskandrequiringprotection aretreatedseriouslyandthat appropriateliaisonwithSocialCareServicesand/orthePoliceiseffected.
WhatHappensNext
•ItisthedutyofSocialCareservicestomakeenquiriesandinvestigate mattersofconcerninrelationtotheprotection ofanadultdeemedtobeatrisk ofharm asdefinedbythelegislation.Whereitisallegedthatacrime hasbeen committedagainsttheadult,investigationislikelytobeprogressedjointlyin consultationwiththePolice.
•Theinvestigatingofficersmayneedtospeaktothestaffmemberfromwhom theconcernsoriginated. Managersandstaffmustco-operatefullywithany PoliceorSocialCareservicesinquiries,andmanagersshouldensurestaff arefacilitatedinthis(Appendix4givesabasic guidetoRSLsontheirpartinthisprocess).
Appendix2
AdultProtectionGuidance
ImportantInformation
Factorswhichmayindicateharmfulbehaviourtowardsanadultatrisk
Thesecanincludeoneoracombination ofthefollowingactions. Thefollowing indicators must,however, beusedonlyasaguide.Thisisbecause manyofthe indicators, thoughsuggestive ofharmfulbehaviourtowardsanadult,canhaveother causeswhicharecompletelyunconnectedwithharmfulbehaviour. Itistherefore important nottoassumethatthepresence ofsuchindicators isfirmproofthatthe adultisthevictimofharmfulbehaviour. Instead, thepresenceofsuch factorsneeds tobeassessed inthecontextofwhatisknownabouttheadultandhisorher particularcircumstances.
PhysicalAbuseinvolvingactualorattempted injurytoanadultdefinedasat risk.Forexample:
•Physicalassault
• Useofmedicationotherthanasprescribed
• Inappropriaterestraint
Emotional/PsychologicalAbuseresultinginmentaldistresstotheadultat risk.Forexample:
• Excessiveshouting,bullying,humiliation
•Manipulationoforthepreventionofaccessto,servicesthatwouldbeofbenefit totheadult
• Isolationorsensorydeprivation
• Denigrationofcultureorreligion
Financial or Material Abuseinvolving the exploitationof resourcesand propertybelongingtotheadultatrisk.Forexample:
• Theftorfraud
•Misuseofmoney,propertyorresourceswithouttheinformedonsentoftheadult atrisk
SexualAbuse–involvingactivityofasexualnaturewheretheadultatrisk cannotordoesnotgiveconsent.Forexample:
• Incest
• Rape
• Actsofgrossindecency
• inappropriatetouching
•Physicalsexualharassmentandsexualactswhichareunwantedandnot consentedto
NeglectandActsofomissionbyotherschargedwiththecareoftheadult–
includingignoringmedicalorphysicalcareneeds.Forexample:
•Failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services
• Withholdingofthenecessitiesoflifesuchasnutrition,appropriateheating,etc
MultipleFormsofAbuse
Thismayoccurinanongoingrelationshiporservicesettingortomorethanone personatatime. Itisimportant therefore tolooknotonlyatasingleincident,butto alsoconsidertheunderlyingdynamicsandpatternsofharm.
RandomViolence
Anattackbyastranger onanadultdefinedasatriskisacriminal matterandshouldbereportedtothepolice. Wherethereisthepossibility thattheviolencemaybepartofapatternofvictimisation inacommunity or neighbourhood,localauthorityAdultProtectionproceduresmay also applyinrespect ofeffectivemulti-agencyintervention.
DomesticAbuse
StrathclydePolicedefinedomesticabuse as“anyformofphysical,non-physicalor sexualabusewhichtakesplacewithinthecontextofacloserelationship committed eitherinthehomeorelsewhere”.Inmostcasesthisrelationshipwillbebetween partners(married,cohabitatingorotherwise)orex-partners.
Thesimilaritybetweentheaboveactsofharminrelationtoadultprotection is recognised. However,thekeyfactorinrelationtoactivating adultprotection proceduresinsuchsituationsisthatthe victim(or suspectedvictim)mustbeanadult atriskofharmasdefinedinTheAct.
Appendix3
Adult support and protection referrals should be made by
sending an AP1 form(Appendix 4) to Social Care Direct
ContactListNameAddressTelephone
Number
SocialCareDirectSocialCareDirect
PO Box 26845
Email:
01412870555
Anyone wishingtoenquireaboutareferralwhichthey have madeshouldcontactSocialCare Directwhocanprovidethecontactdetailsofthepersoninvolvedwiththecaseor whomadethedecisionthatitshouldnotbeallocated,iftheASPreferralisclosed.
Glasgow and BasedwithintheHamishAllanCentre 0800811505
Partners
Emergency Social
Work Services
(Formerly Standby)
StrathclydePolice
Greater Glasgow Concern Hub
DS June Coull and DS Donna McPherson
Saracen Concerns Hub
Greater Glasgow Division
Saracen Police Office
104 Barloch Road
Glasgow
G22 5BY
Tel No 0141 532 3953
Adult Protection Referral Coordinators
Gael Park and Elizabeth Grogan
Saracen Concerns Hub
Greater Glasgow Division
Saracen Police Office
104 Barloch Road
Glasgow
G22 5BY
Tel No 0141 532 3929
APPENDIX4
ASP ReferralProcess
NFA Notificationto ASM QSW Governance
Referral Agency
Social CareDirect
Screening/Decision
1 WorkingDay Confirmed in Writing within 24 hours AP1
NFA – Record all decisions onCarefirst
•Assessment/Care
Management
•Notificationto ASM – QSW Governance
Allocate- Further Inquiry
Council officerQSW (1 year post qualexpofworkingwith adults at risk)
AP1Complete
5 WorkingDays of
Referral
Formal Investigation Social
Worker & Other/s
AP1/AP2Complete
8 WorkingDays of Referral
Multi-Disc Case Conference
Chaired by:
Interm Service Manager (Council) Final – ASM QSM (Council)
AP1/AP2/AP3 Complete
10 Working Days of Referral
Assessment/
Care Manager
LegalPower
Review PTL/Team
Leader
MHActMHO (Liaise Legal)
AWIAct MHO Liaise Legal
ASP Act Council Officer – OSW (Liaise Legal)
Discharge –NFA Continuing Care Management
Protection Plan in Place
Review3 Monthly
ASM – QSW
Note: Timescale to reflectmaximum.In someinstances risk to adult/otherswill demand more immediate action.In other circumstances, given complexity, whererisk assessment requires extension of timescales thereason for this must be approved by thePTL/Team Leader (Council) and be recorded onCarefirst.
AP1 =Referral Information AP2 =RiskAssessment AP3 = Protection Plan
QSW SSSC Registered Social Worker
ADULT AT RISK DETAILS (please PRINT details, thank you)NAME / DOB
HOME ADDRESS / CURRENT
WHEREABOUTS
POSTCODE / POSTCODE
TEL NO: / TEL NO:
GENDER / ETHNIC ORIGIN / RELIGION
COMMUNICATION NEEDS
(please provide details including communication aids by the adult and specify first language if not English)
GP NAME / ADDRESS
REFERRER DETAILS (please PRINT details, thank you)
NAME / DESIGNATION
AGENCY / DIRECT DIAL TEL NO:
EMAIL ADDRESS
RELATIONSHIP TO ADULT BEING REFERRED:
SIGNATURE
DATE
IS IT SUSPECTED THAT A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED AND HAVE POLICE BEEN INFORMED? (Include date, time, known action taken etc.)
DETAILS OF CONCERN (please PRINT details, thank you)
1)IN YOUR OPINION IS THE ADULT ABLE TO SAFEGUARD THEIR OWN WELLBEING, PROPERTY, RIGHTS OR OTHER INTERESTS? (If no, please state reason)
2)IN YOUR OPINION IS THE ADULT AT RISK OF HARM? (if yes, please state reason)
3)IN YOUR OPINION IS THE ADULT AFFECTED BY DISABILITY, MENTAL DISORDER, ILLNESS OR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL INFIRMITY (if yes, please specify)
GIVE DETAILS OF HARM (SUSPECTED / WITNESSED / DISCLOSED / REPORTED). DATES, PROTECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN INCLUDE DETAILS OF ANY PREVIOUS CONCERNS. (please use separate sheet if required)
HAVE YOU (OR ANY OTHER PERSON) TOLD THE ADULT THAT THIS INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED WITH SOCIAL WORK OR OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES / YES / NO(delete as appropriate) If NO please state reasons
DETAILS OF PERSON SUSPECTED OF CAUSING HARM (If known) (please PRINT details, thank you)
NAME / RELATIONSHIP TO ADULT:
ADDRESS / TEL NO
DETAILS OF MAIN CARER / RELATIVE / POA / GAURDIAN (please PRINT details, thank you)
NAME / RELATIONSHIP TO ADULT:
ADDRESS / TEL NO