A report on the progress made in adult support and protection by six Scottish partnerships since 2017 has found that, overall, priority areas for improvement were positively addressed.
The report, which focuses on Dundee, North Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, Aberdeenshire, Highland and Midlothian, was published today by the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.
Inspectors found that although there had been improvement in key processes for adult support and protection, there were still some areas that required further improvement. These areas included chronologies, risk assessment, and risk management plans.
All partnerships had considered council officer capacity and effectively deployed them. In every partnership almost all initial inquiries and subsequent investigative powers were undertaken by council officers.
Most partnerships were in the early stages of supporting their workforce to embed trauma-informed approaches into adult support and protection practice.
Police Scotland remained a critical partner in protecting adults at risk of harm. Considerable progress had been made in the role of health strategically and operationally in adult support and protection work.
However, there was significant variation in how interagency referral discussions were utilised in practice. These were most effective and beneficial for adults at risk of harm when used consistently and early in the adult support and protection process. They were also effective when attended by police, health and social work.
Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “Our review showed that all partnerships made some progress in meeting nearly all the areas for improvement highlighted in the 2017 inspections. There was good evidence that partnerships developed improvement plans following the 2017 inspections and had dedicated time and capacity to address the priority areas for improvement.
“The partnerships involved welcomed our review of progress and collaborated positively with us.
“Partnerships should continue to work closely with the national implementation group to ensure they effectively implement the work being done. If so, this will strengthen adult support and protection practices locally and nationally.”