Adult Support and Protection

Question 1

What key legislation incorporates protecting of adults in scotland?

Answer 1

• Adults With Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
• Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003
• Human Rights Act 1998

Question 2

What is the adult support and protection (Scotland) act and when was it introduced?

Answer 2

ASP Act implemented in October 2008
- introduced new measures to identify & protect adults at risk of harm

Question 3

What is the 3 point test to identify adults at risk?

Answer 3

Adults aged over 16 y/o who:
- unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests
- at risk of harm
- because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected

Question 4

when are adults deemed to be ‘at risk of harm’?

Answer 4

• another persons conduct is causing (or is likely to cause) the adult to be harmed
• the adult is engaging in conduct which causes self harm

Question 5

What are the principles of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act?

Answer 5

• intervention must benefit the adult
• be the least restrictive option
• have regards to the adults ascertainable wishes
• take account of the views of the adults carer/guardian/attorney
• take account of the views of any person who has an interest in the adults well being or property
• encourage participation of the adult as fully as possible

Question 6

What does the ASP act place on councils/local authorities to do?

Answer 6

A statutory duty to make inquiries about and adults well-being, property or financial affairs, determine if the 3 point test is met & to determine if further action is required

Question 7

What are the different types of harm that a person may experience?

Answer 7

• sexual
• physical
• emotional/psychological
• self harm
• institutional
• verbal
• neglect & acts of omission
• finance or material
• discriminatory

Question 8

What is the timescale for acknowledgement of the referral?

Answer 8

1 working day

Question 9

What is the timescale for duty to inquire after a referral when harm is suspected?

Answer 9

5 working days

Question 10

What is the timescale for completed investigation after a referral when harm is suspected?

Answer 10

20 working days

Question 11

What is the timescale for production of a protection plan after a referral when harm is suspected?

Answer 11

within 10 working days

Question 12

What is an inquiry?

Answer 12

• checking background information
• speaking to others involved (professionals, GPs, carers etc)
• speaking to the adult at risk of harm
• establishing whether the 3 point testis met & a risk assessment is required

Question 13

what is an investigation?

Answer 13

• gathering information to inform a risk assessment which is completed by the council officer
• completion of a chronology of significant events relating to current concern
• support to protect the adult from risk of harm

Question 14

what actions occur during an investigation?

Answer 14

• visits
• private interview
• medical examinations
• examination of records

Question 15

What are the 3 R’s? What are they for?

Answer 15

Used to report concerns
- Recognise (spot signs, do something)
- Record (listen carefully, believe & take short notes)
- Report (tell someone)

Question 16

If you believe a person is in immediate danger what should you do?

Answer 16

• call 999
• speak to line manager
• refer to agency Adult Protection procedures