Adult Support and Protection

Question 1

What powers does the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 introduce?

Answer 1

Councils duty to inquire and investigate

Duty to co-operate

Question 2

Who are adults at risk?

Answer 2

Adults at risk are adults (over the age of 16) who:
1. Are unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or other interests;
2. Are at risk of harm; and
3. 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 3

What are the duties of co-operation according to the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007?

Answer 3

The ASP act sets out statutory duties of co-operation for certain public bodies and their office-holders;
NHS services, the Police; the Care Commission; the Mental Welfare Commission; and the Public
Guardian.
Members and staff for all of these bodies are subject to statutory duties to:
1. Report the facts and circumstances to the local Council when they need to know or believe
that someone is an adult at risk and that action is needed to protect that adult from harm
2. Co-operate with the council and each other to enable or assist the council making inquiries

Question 4

what is the GMC guidance on professional guidance?

Answer 4

All doctors have a duty to raise concerns where they believe that patient safety or care is being
compromised by the practice of colleagues or the systems, policies and procedures in the
organisations in which they work. They must also encourage and support a culture in which staff can
raise concerns openly and safety.

Question 5

What does the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 do?

Answer 5

This protects individuals making disclosures that “tend to show” that the health or safety of a person
is or may be endangered. These are “protected disclosures”.

Question 6

What is the role of NHSG staff in professionalism?

Answer 6

• Will report all cases where an adult is considered at risk of harm to the council and agree how
to proceed with the investigation. This includes instances where the allegation is made against
a NHSG employee (section 5)
• Will co-operate with the council making inquiries and with each other where that would assist
the council. Information and records regarding the adult will be provided when requested
under the act (section 10)
• A doctor, nurse or midwife may conduct a medical examination during a visit or part of an
assessment order (section 9)
• It is an offence to prevent or obstruct any person from acting under the Act and to refuse
without reasonable excuse to provide information (section 49,50)

Question 7

who may cause harm?

Answer 7

Adults at risk may be harmed by a wide range of people including relatives and family members,
professional staff, paid care workers, volunteers, other service users, neighbours, friends and
associates, people who deliberately exploit adults at risk and strangers.

Question 8

where can harm take place?

Answer 8

• Any where
• Family home
• Ward
• Day centre
• Lunch club
• Social club
• Care home
• Supported accommodation
• Sheltered housing
• Transport

Question 9

what are the categories of harm?

Answer 9

physical
sexual
psychological
neglect
financial
discriminatory

Question 10

give examples of physical harm

Answer 10

o Hitting
o Slapping
o Burning
o Biting
o Punching
o Kicking
o Lacerating
o Force feeding
o Overmedicating

Question 11

give examples of sexual harm

Answer 11

o Subjecting someone to any sexual act without their consent, or understanding
o Inappropriate touching, fondling, kissing
o Exploitation
o Subjecting to pornography
o Ritual or Satanic harm
o Penetration with fingers, objects
rape

Question 12

give examples of psychological harm

Answer 12

o Verbal comments
o Humiliating
o Intimidating
o Ridiculing
o Threatening
o Bullying
o Shouting
o Inappropriate humour
o Patronising
o Harassing
o Isolating
o Ignoring
o Denial of rights
o Being overprotected
o Withholding belongings

Question 13

give examples of neglect

Answer 13

o Malnutrition
o Dehydration
o An unkempt appearance
o Left to sit in soiled, stained clothing/bed linen
o Not dressing someone appropriately
o Refusing to buy new clothes
o Isolation/lack of stimulation
o Being left in cold rooms
o Lack of supervision or abandonment
o Loss of aids e.g. glasses
o Restricted in a chair/bed
o Failure to provide access to appropriate health and social care or educational services

Question 14

give examples of financial harm

Answer 14

o Cash stolen
o Full benefits/pension not being received by the person
o False pricing
o Bills not being paid
o The appointed person withholding money
o Sudden transfer of a person’s assets
o Disappearance of property or belongings
o Unexplained shortage of money
o Restricted choice in where you live

Question 15

give examples of discrimination

Answer 15

o Age
o Gender
o Disability
o Race
o Colour
o Sexual orientation
o Religious orientation
o Political views

Question 16

5 R’s of harm

Answer 16

recognise
respond
report
record
reflect