A joint inspection of adult support and protection measures in East Dunbartonshire has found clear strengths in ensuring adults at risk of harm are safe, protected and supported.
However, inspectors also identified areas which could further improve.
Inspectors found that adult support and protection inquiries were undertaken in line with the revised code of practice. They were comprehensive, collaborative, and effectively determined whether the relevant criteria was met.
The quality of completed chronologies was a clear strength. Strong collaboration and promotion of a trauma-informed approach supported effective decision making and protective actions.
Adult support and protection investigations were competent and comprehensive. A significant number of health professionals were trained as second workers.* This ensured that adults at risk of harm benefitted from a collaborative and multi-agency approach.
Strategic leaders effectively communicated the joint vision for adult support and protection. This was well understood by staff at all levels.
However, inspectors also noted that the partnership should promote more consistent use of chronologies to inform analysis and better reflect the impact of life events on the adult at risk of harm.
The partnership should ensure that risk assessments are undertaken, and case conferences held for all adults at risk of harm when necessary. These are key components of protection and support for adults and will improve how protection risks are identified and mitigated.
The partnership’s self-evaluation framework should be assessed and refined to ensure it can identify all areas for improvement. This will strengthen leadership and governance of adult support and protection practice across the partnership.
Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “We concluded the partnership’s strategic leadership and key processes for adult support and protection were effective with areas for improvement. There were clear strengths supporting positive experiences and outcomes for adults at risk of harm, which collectively outweighed the areas for improvement.
“We asked the East Dunbartonshire partnership to prepare an improvement plan to address the priority areas for improvement. The Care Inspectorate, through its link inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland will monitor progress implementing this plan.”
The full report can be read here.
Notes to editors
Scottish Ministers requested that the Care Inspectorate lead a second phase of joint inspection and development of adult support and protection in collaboration with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.
Phase two joint inspections aim to provide national assurance about local partnership areas’ effective operations of adult support and protection key processes, and leadership. We also offer a summary of the partnerships’ progress since their inspection in 2017.
* Second workers provide support and corroboration to social workers involved in adult protection cases. They can be drawn from a variety of different health professions, for example, specialising in mental health where this is relevant to the case.