Fife Multi-Agency Adult Protection Guidance - Home Page

4.3 Actions resulting from an IRDFollowing the IRD, sufficient information may be available to decide that nofurther action is required, perhaps because the adult is not an adult at risk asdefined by the Act. Alternatively, the situation can be resolved by introducingor amending services to provide an appropriate level of support to allow theadult to be protected from further harm. Evidence may suggest that a singleagency investigation is the best way forward.A multi-agency response may be necessary in more complex adult protectioninvestigations, for example, where police, health, housing, and the CareInspectorate jointly work with the council officer to progress the investigation.Where there is a possibility that a crime has been committed the police willassume lead responsibility for the collection of forensic evidence and forensicmedical examinations. A police investigation does not negate the need for thesocial work service to investigate.The outcomes of the IRD are joint agreements as to how best to progress thecause for concern based on information gathered. Those practitioners whotake part in the IRD will be responsible for recording all the agreed decisionsmade and outcomes within their own service agency reporting systems.4.4 VisitsVisits to an adult may be necessary if the initial screening process has failedto determine whether or not the adult is at risk of harm as defined by the Act.A suitably qualified council officer is required to undertake any visits under theAct. Possible decisions and actions arising from this type of visit are the sameas those noted at 3.12. If however, entry is refused and no other reasonablesteps can be taken to conduct the inquiry, statutory measures may benecessary. See Protection orders, Section 6.Investigative visits will be arranged depending on the urgency of the situation.If the situation is assessed as critical, a same day visit is required.If the circumstances are assessed as urgent, a visit should be madewithin 48 hours.In all other cases a visit must take place within 2 weeks of the allocation ofthe council officer to undertake the investigation.SWIFT recording should clearly document the basis for any particulartimescale being followed in each case, together with the team manager’sagreement.Where the screening process has suggested a potential threat of violence tostaff, it is the responsibility of the team manager to ensure that the councilofficer is supported to carry out the visit and is protected to do so. Staff shouldnot place themselves at risk.Council officers will carry identification indicating that they have the authorityto carry out the duties as defined in Sections [4-10] of the 2007 Act. If thecouncil officer is refused entry and no other reasonable steps can be taken to28