Fife Multi-Agency Adult Protection Guidance - Home Page

Inter-agencyReferralDiscussionMulti DisciplinaryScreenDecisionCouncil OfficerInvestigation/VisitCouncil Officer’sReportAdult ProtectionCase ConferenceNOTESIt may be necessary to visit anadult if little is known (CouncilOfficers only) as part of thescreeningAll available informationgathered at the screening stageshould now be shared with allrelevant agencies.Interagency referral discussionshould identify what actionsshould take place next as part ofthe investigationThe social work service retainsthe lead responsibility but maydelegate if the harm is within anNHS setting.Issues of consent and capacityshould be highlighted at thisstage.Inter-agency referral discussionsmust include the CareInspectorate if the harm is withina regulated care setting.NOTESAdult does not meet the criteria –consider Care Management,referral to another appropriateagency or Carer’s assessment.Adult does meet the criteria orfurther investigation is necessaryto establish this by a CouncilOfficer. This may be inpartnership with Police, Health,Housing where this would aid theinvestigation (cannot be a SocialWorker acting as WelfareGuardian to the Adult).If harm is within an NHS facility,Team Manager to agree whoshould lead investigation and maydelegate as agreed with NHSLead Manager. Social Worker tohighlight capacity or consentissues at this stage if known.NOTESVisits to Adult by a CouncilOfficer to determine if they are atrisk and require protectivemeasures (see timescalesbelow).Visits must be planned byCouncil Officer with partneragencies as appropriate (Health,Police, Housing etc). Anyinvestigative interview willrequire a Council Officer and oneother.Investigations may include visitsto the adult, medicalexaminations and recordschecks.Adult must be informed of rightsto refuse any interview ormedical examination andsupported if necessary toparticipate fully in theinvestigation.If access to the adult is denied,Council Officer to considerProtection Orders and contactLegal Services for advice.NOTESReport should establish what hasactually happened and thenature of harm to the adult.The adult’s views about his/hersituation.What actions are necessary toprotect the adult from harm?Issues in relation to capacity andconsent should be highlightedAssessment of risk.Outcomes (may include):No further action (reasons mustbe explicit on SWIFT and includeconfirmation that Adult has beenseen alone).Refer for Assessment and CareManagement or to anotherappropriate agency.Proceed to Adult Protection Planand Case Conference.NOTESIf the Council Officer identifiesharm has occurred and a coordinatedresponse is necessaryas part of an Adult ProtectionPlan, an Adult Protection CaseConference should be convened.The adult should be encouragedto participate as fully as possiblewith support as necessary.The Team Manager hasresponsibility for chairing themeeting and the conductthroughout. Case conferencesshould allow an exchange ofinformation which would assist indeveloping an Adult ProtectionPlan.Adult Protection Plan shouldindicate who is responsible forwhich protective measureagainst an agreed timescale.Any protection plan must have areview date.TimescalesUrgent – Same DayCritical – 48 HoursNon – Urgent 2 WeeksWithout DelayNot Exceeding 28 DaysPaperworkCouncil Officer’s ReportAdults with Incapacity orAdult Protection Invites,Case Conference MinutesSWIFTStrategy DiscussionAdult Protection ModuleOpen Case – Progress to AdultProtection InvestigationNew Case – Progress to Referralfirst then outcome as above inreferral tab.All recording now in AdultProtection ModuleSWIFTAdult Protection ModuleInvestigationAdult Protection ModuleCase Conferences54