Adult Protection Policy and Procedure.

Adopted as Policy by Judy Byrne (Director) January 2010

(To be reviewed January 2011)

A.  Hayfield Support Services Adult Protection Policy.

1. Introduction.
2. Legislation.
3. Factors which may indicate harmful behaviour towards an adult at risk.
4. Types of Harm.
5. Training.
6. Confidentiality.
7. Principles of Reporting and Information Sharing.
8. Named Person.
    

B.  Hayfield Support Services Adult Protection Procedure.

1. Reporting Procedure.
2. Responsibilities of Hayfield Staff.
3. Reporting.
4. Recording.
5. Responsibilities of Hayfield Manager / Named Person.
6. Role of Senior Managers in Social Work Services.
7. Allegations Involving Staff.
8. Frequent Complaints without Foundation.
9. What Happens Next ?
10. Supporting the Adult at Risk of Harm.

Additional Information.

Contact List

Glasgow Multi Agency Referral Form (AP1)

A.  Hayfield Support Services Adult Protection Policy.

1.  Purpose of Policy.

The purpose of this policy is to set out what actions are required of staff working in Hayfield Support Services with Deaf People (hereafter referred to as Hayfield) when dealing with adult protection and to ensure effective links are made into the Glasgow Multi Agency Adult Protection Procedures.

This document should be read in conjunction with Glasgow Multi Agency Adult Protection Procedures.

 

2.  Introduction.

The protection of adults at risk of harm is not an option but a responsibility across agencies.  The expectation for all “at risk” adults in our communities is that they are empowered, through support from all the public services including social work services, police, health, housing and care organisations to be free from any preventable harm or exploitation.  They are enabled to make their own choices about their lives and to live as independently as their personal circumstances may permit. 

It is the policy of Hayfield to support and protect anyone who receives our service.  We are committed to the protection of adults at risk of harm, and the safeguarding and promoting of the interests and well-being of such adults is of paramount concern.

Our organisation strives to ensure to the best of its ability that service users will not encounter harm of any form while in its care, and that, if abuse is detected, the situation will be reported immediately to allow investigation by the appropriate statutory agencies.  Hayfield also recognises that while its services are based in Glasgow, it operates as a UK-wide resource and thus has referrals from Local Authorities outwith Glasgow City Council.  These other Authorities retain responsibility for the service users placed by them   and must therefore also be involved in the reporting, investigating and recording of any instance of harm or potential harm involving these other service users.

Hayfield undertakes to ensure that it will protect all adults it works with from exploitative relationships.  In such circumstances where it is found that an adult is at risk then we undertake to liaise with Glasgow City Council Social Work Services and any other appropriate Local Authority, to ensure that the adult continues to receive a service as agreed as appropriate.

Hayfield will ensure that staff will be alert to the possibility that they may become aware of adults requiring support and protection who are not service users, e.g. relatives, friends, visitors etc.  In all cases staff will report their concerns using the Hayfield reporting procedures, as detailed in the procedure outlined at Section B.

Hayfield recognises that the protection of adults at risk of harm is placed above all other operating principles and supersedes the principle of confidentiality.

3.  Legislation.

In Scotland, there are three Acts of the Scottish Parliament which relate specifically to adult protection.  These are...

 

Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act, 2000. 

This Act imposes duties on, and assigns functions to, local authorities in relation to the making of enquiries in respect of adults who lack capacity, and the creation, application and supervision of proxy decision making powers in respect of such adults. Under the terms of Section 10 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, the local authority must investigate

‘any circumstances made known to them in which the personal welfare of an adult seems to be at risk’

This means that, the local authority must investigate allegations of abuse involving an adult who lacks the capacity to make or convey decisions for him or herself, whether the adult concerned agrees to the investigation or not.

It is the function of the Public Guardian to investigate situations of suspected financial abuse involving adults who lack capacity under Section 6 of the same Act.

 

Mental Health (Care & Treatment) Scotland Act, 2003. 

This Act imposes duties on, and assigns functions to, local authorities and health boards in respect of social and mental health well-being, the making of enquiries in respect of persons who appear to have a mental disorder, and (where necessary) the application of compulsory measures in relation to the assessment and treatment of persons having a mental disorder.

 

Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007. 

This Act imposes duties on, and assigns functions to, local authorities in respect of the making of enquiries, the conduct of investigations, the application for protective powers in respect of adults defined by the legislation to be at risk of actual or suspected harm. This Act also brought about the creation of Adult Protection Committees in every local authority area.

 

It is the responsibility of adult protection agencies such as Social Work Services and the Police to make enquiries (proactive and reactive) and to carry out appropriate investigations in order to establish...

Whether or not an adult is at risk from harm or suspected harm; and, if so, which, if any, of the protective measures available in terms of the legislation are most appropriate to an adult at risk’s individual circumstances. 

It is, however, everyone’s responsibility to report concerns regarding any adult who is, or who appears to   be, at risk of harm, to Social Work Services. If you are concerned that a vulnerable adult is at risk of exposure to criminal activity such as fraud then Police must be notified as well as Social Work. However, in order to avoid confusion and to have clear lines of accountability, Hayfield staff should report concerns directly to their line manager / named person in the first instance. The procedure outlined at Section B sets out the reporting guidelines.

For the purposes of the Adult Support & Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (“ASP Act”), an “adult” is a person aged 16 or over. Hayfield provides services for adults aged 16 or over.  However, if the adult concerned is 16 or 17 years of age, it is possible that he / she is already subject to a Supervision Order or other Order under the Children (Scotland) Act, 1995, or other social work or childcare legislation. If Hayfield staff know that such an Order is in place in respect of that person, they should include that information in their report to their line manager / named person.  It is the responsibility of Social Work Services to carry out any investigations about anyone who may be subject to such an Order.   The procedure outlined at Section B sets out the reporting guidelines.

Under the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 ’adults at risk’ are defined as adults aged 16 or over who…

• are unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests,
• are at risk of harm, and
• 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.

The ASP Act states harm includes all harmful conduct and in particular includes...

• Conduct which causes physical harm.
• Conduct which causes psychological harm (for example by causing fear, alarm or distress).
• Unlawful conduct which appropriates or adversely affects property, rights or interests (for example: theft, fraud, embezzlement or extortion).
• Conduct which causes self-harm.

 

4.  Factors which may indicate harmful behaviour towards an adult at risk.

These can include one or a combination of the following actions.  The following indicators must, however, be used only as a guide...

• Harm can be a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an adult. It can take the form of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or domestic abuse, acts of neglect or omission, financial and material abuse and the withholding of information.  The abuse can be multiple, involving some or all of the above.
   
• Harm can occur in any setting: when an adult lives alone or with a relative; within nursing, residential, supported living or day care settings; in hospitals, custodial situations, support services in people’s own homes and other places previously assumed safe, or in public places.

Staff will be aware that adults using Hayfield services might have come to the service because they have been subject to harm...

• in their own home.
• in the community.
• having been abused by a relative, friend or acquaintance.

Alternatively, adults might be at risk of harm after they come to the service, for example from...

• someone who is not a service user coming into the service from outside.
• another service user.
• a member of staff.

On some occasions the perpetrator of the abuse might be at risk of abuse themselves; such as a service user who regularly becomes inebriated and puts other service users or members of staff into a state of fear.   All parties involved can be considered as being potentially at risk however the person behaving abusively can also be treated as an adult at risk.

There is an expectation where the perpetrator of abuse is a member of staff that an internal investigation will not take precedence over reporting concerns to allow an investigation by Social Work Services and / or Police.  The procedure outlined at Section B sets out the reporting guidelines.

 

5.  Types of Harm.

 

Physical Abuse - involving actual or attempted injury to an adult defined as at risk. 

For example...

• Physical assault by punching, pushing, slapping, tying down, giving food or medication forcibly, or denial of education.
• Use of medication other than as prescribed.
• Inappropriate restraint.
   

 

Emotional / Psychological Abuse - resulting in mental distress to the adult at risk. 

For example...

• Excessive shouting, bullying, humiliation.
• Manipulation of, or the prevention of access to, services that would be of benefit to the adult.
• Isolation or sensory deprivation.
• Denigration of culture or religion.

 

Financial or Material Abuse - involving the exploitation of resources and property belonging to the adult at  risk. 

For example…

• Theft or fraud.
• Misuse of money, property or resources without the informed consent of the adult at risk.

 

Sexual Abuse - involving activity of a sexual nature where the adult at risk cannot or does not give consent.

For example...

• Incest.
• Rape.
• Acts of gross indecency.
• Inappropriate touching or verbal or physical sexual harassment.
  
   

Neglect and acts of omission by others charged with the care of the adult, including ignoring medical or physical care needs. 

For example...

• Failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services
• Withholding of the necessities of life such as nutrition, appropriate heating, etc.
  
   

Exploitation - the deliberate targeting of vulnerable adults for personal benefit.

 

Discriminatory abuse - treating one service user less favourably than another.

 

Information abuse - deliberately giving erroneous information or withholding information.

 

Human rights abuse - for example deprivation of a right to family life or to a fair hearing.

 

Multiple Forms of Abuse - This may occur in an ongoing relationship or service setting or to more than one person at a time.  It is important therefore to look not only at a single incident, but to also consider the underlying dynamics and patterns of harm.

 

Random Violence - An attack by a stranger on an adult defined as at risk is an assault; this is a criminal matter and should be reported to the Police. However, where there is the possibility that the violence may be part of a pattern of victimisation in a community or neighbourhood, local authority Adult Protection procedures may also apply in respect of effective multi-agency intervention.

 

Domestic Violence - Strathclyde Police define domestic violence as “any form of physical, non-physical or sexual abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship committed either in the home or elsewhere”.  In most cases this relationship will be between partners (married, cohabitating or otherwise) or ex-partners.

 

The similarity between the above acts of harm in relation to adult protection is recognised.  However, the key factor in relation to activating adult protection procedures in such situations is that the victim (or suspected victim) must be an adult at risk of harm as defined in The Act.

 

6.  Training.

As an allegation of abuse can come to the notice of any member of staff at any time, all staff members will receive training in Adult Protection Procedures, either as part of an initial induction, or as part of an ongoing training programme.

Employees / volunteers will be made aware of the existence of the Adult Protection Policy and Procedure, and their responsibilities in relation to the Adult Protection process...

• Through the provision of training
• By issuing a copy of the policy to all new staff members
• By publicising it existence at strategic points within the office areas and service locations

Staff can access this policy at all times at the following locations:

• On the Hayfield Intranet (under “Procedures”)
• In the day care centre a copy of the policy will be available in the Manager’s Resource Room
• In all residential locations, a copy of the policy will be available in the staff office.

 

7.   Confidentiality.

There is a clear requirement across agencies to co-operate in relation to the protection of adults seen to be at risk of harm. Hayfield will ensure appropriate mechanisms are in place for staff to report any concerns to Social Work Services and / or the Police, as may be appropriate in the circumstances.  Hayfield will also ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place in relation to any ongoing involvement and assistance in consultation with the relevant statutory agencies, towards effective risk management and continuing support to the service user.

To ensure appropriate protective measures can be put in place, it is recognised that confidential information will need to be shared with other workers, managers and other agencies on a “need to know” basis.

Hayfield staff have a duty to report concerns about an adult thought to be at risk of harm (as defined in the ASP Act). 

Where an adult is seen to be at risk of harm, this will always override a professional or organisational requirement to keep information confidential, subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.  It is the responsibility of those employed or involved with Hayfield to take appropriate action to ensure the adult deemed to be at risk is protected from harm.

 

8.  Principles of Reporting and Information Sharing.

The protection of adults at risk of harm is placed above all other operating principles and supersedes the principle of confidentiality. Any concerns a member of Hayfield staff may have regarding the safety and well-being of an adult at risk of harm should be brought to the attention of their line manager / Director immediately.

Although it is recognised that a service user’s privacy must be protected at all times, in situations where abuse is suspected, there must be free communication between participating agencies throughout the investigation. Under no circumstances will information on an adult be withheld from Social Work       Services because the holder of the information thinks that it might compromise a third party.  If a staff member is given information relating to adult abuse ‘in confidence’ they must make clear that any information relating to adult or child abuse must be passed on to Social Work Services and / or Police for investigation.

In all cases of suspected adult abuse, it must be recognised that children involved in the situation might also be at risk and that Child Protection Procedures might have to be invoked.

If the adult is profoundly deaf and requires the services of a sign language interpreter or communication support worker, one should be appointed to work with the adult. This should be arranged in consultation between Hayfield and the appropriate social work authority, and should take account of the fact that      some Hayfield service users have minimal language skills to the extent that sign language interpreters are     not always the most appropriate support.   Consideration should also be given to providing access to an Appropriate Adult where the service user has particular learning difficulties. Other forms of assistance to communication should be utilised if the adult cannot communicate using speech.

If the adult does not have English as a first language and requires the services of an interpreter, an interpreter from the Interpreting Service should be appointed to work with the adult. This should be arranged in consultation between Hayfield and social work as appropriate.

Using a member of the adult’s family as an interpreter or communication support worker should be avoided.

 

9.  Named Person.

Hayfield acknowledges that having a specific member of staff as a named person/post in respect of adult protection is good practice. The named person / post will be a manager or senior practitioner within the organisation who has sufficient knowledge / expertise to deal with any concerns raised.

Hayfield recognises that providing a named person ensures that all allegations of abuse are reported to a central point to allow a consistent response and to maintain an overview of reports from staff. Concerns can then be passed on quickly and appropriately.

The named person / post will monitor issues and detect trends as these occur.

Our named persons / posts are Suzanne Finnigan (Residential Services Manager) and Marion Kamel (Day Services Manager)

In the event that the named persons / posts are not available - Willie Macfadyen (Senior Social Work Practitioner) or Judy Byrne (Director) will stand in.

 

 

B.  Hayfield Adult Protection Procedure.

1.  Introduction

This procedure details the action you should take on suspecting harm or poor practice to ensure the welfare and safety of adults at risk of harm.

 

2.  Responsibilities of Hayfield Staff.

Any report that an adult may be at risk of harm, including anonymous referrals, should be taken seriously.  All cases should be considered with an open mind.  In all instances, the information given must be reported immediately to your line manager / named person.
 

Our named persons / post are: Suzanne Finnigan (Residential Service Manager) / Marion Kamel (Day Service Manager)
 

In the event that the named persons/posts are not available Willie Macfadyen (Senior Social Work Practitioner) or Judy Byrne (Director) will stand in

All of these persons / posts are contactable at the Day Centre (0141 429 0335), or through the on-call service

In the event that you become aware that an adult may be at risk of harm or you are told directly by a service user that they are being / have been abused, you should be aware that the adult may be feeling vulnerable or upset when disclosing this information.

You should be supportive and reassure the adult by listening carefully, but do not ask unnecessary questions. It is not your role to investigate.

 

3.  Reporting.  (see Contact List)

For service users who are placed in Hayfield by other Local Authorities, the following actions for reporting, investigating and recording must also involve these other relevant Authorities

You should advise the adult that the information will have to be passed on to your line manager / named person and that the relevant Social Work Services may be required to investigate further.

When you feel it is appropriate to leave the service user who is disclosing the abuse, the information given by the service user should be passed on immediately to your line manager / named person.

Where you are concerned for the immediate safety and well-being of an individual, contact emergency services i.e. ambulance and Police immediately. Do not delay.  You can contact your line manager / named person once you are satisfied that the person is safe.

If you suspect that a criminal act has been committed, for example in cases of physical or sexual abuse, you should contact the Police immediately and steps should be taken to preserve evidence. You can then contact your line manager / named person.

If there is no line manager / named person available on the day when the abuse is detected, you must contact Social Work Services at the appropriate CHCP office to report your concerns.

If you are unhappy with the response from your line manager / named person, you should contact Social Work Services at the appropriate CHCP office and outline your concerns and the basis for them.

If you are unhappy with the response from Social Work Services you can raise this through the Complaints procedure and / or the Care Commission. (See Contact List for details).

NOTE: You should follow the above procedure for all instances of suspected abuse, for example where you become aware of...

• Abuse by another service user
• Abuse by someone from within the community (family or friend)
• Abuse by a member of staff.

 

4.  Recording.

Write down the nature of your concern and anything the person may have told you using, as far as possible, the words used by the person. Since Hayfield service users are principally BSL users and may also have   minimal language skills, your interpretation of their communication may have to rely on factors (such as hand shapes, directional verbs or idiosyncratic signs) other than recognisable words.  Remember to sign and date the notes taken.  This information will form the basis of the referral, and will also be required if there is an investigation.

This information will be kept and securely stored in the Director’s office.  Your line manager / named person will determine who this information can be shared with, will maintain an overview of reports from staff, monitor issues and detect trends as these occur.

 

5.  Responsibilities of Hayfield Manager / Named Person.

Referral:  The line manager / named person will telephone the relevant Social Work Services location and appropriate referring Authority and give details of the alleged abuse. In accordance with the Multi Agency Adult Protection Procedures, the information should be followed up in writing within 24 hours using the Glasgow Multi Agency Referral Form (AP1).

Where information is given to your line manager / named person out of hours it must be passed to the Social Work Services Standby Service.

The line manager / named person making contact with Social Work Services and / or the Police must makea note of the following:

The date and time that contact was made. Where contact cannot immediately be made, the reason for this must be recorded.  Details of all unsuccessful attempts to make contact must also be recorded.

Name, address and full details of those contacted.

Details of who should be contacted for future follow-up / agreed further action.

Where the adult at risk is care managed by a local authority other than Glasgow City Council, the line manager / named person should contact the care manager in that local authority immediately.

In all cases of suspected adult abuse, it must be recognised that children involved in the situation might also be at risk and Child Protection Procedures might have to be invoked.

 

6.  Role of Senior Managers Social Work Services.

All concerns of an adult protection nature should be reported to the relevant Social Work Services office.  Social Work Services will seek to allocate the matter to a member of their staff who has sufficient knowledge and expertise to deal with any concerns raised.  It will be the responsibility of the designated Hayfield manager to ensure that all instances of alleged or suspected harm to an adult seen to be at risk and requiring protection are treated seriously and that appropriate liaison with Social Work Services and / or the Police is effected.

7.   Allegations Involving Staff.

What if it is someone within Hayfield that you are concerned about?

If you have evidence of Hayfield staff acting in a way that has caused you to be concerned you should contact your line manager / named person outlining your concerns and the basis for them.  They will take your concerns seriously, make appropriate enquires into them and thereafter decide on the appropriate course of action. 

If your concerns are about your line manager / named person, then you should inform Judy Byrne (Director). You can also contact social work directly to pass on your concerns and seek further advice.

In situations where the alleged abuser is a member of staff, Hayfield Investigatory and Disciplinary Procedures should be followed, but will not supersede an adult protection referral to and investigation by statutory agencies.  In other words, care must be taken to ensure that implementation of any internal procedures (for example, fact finding) does not undermine or impede any investigation by statutory agencies.  Advice should be sought from Social Work Services before proceeding.

In such cases the Scottish Social Services Council will be contacted at the discretion of the appropriate Manager from Hayfield.  Any decision will be recorded in the staff members’ personnel file.

(Hayfield has a “Whistleblowing” Policy which encourages staff to highlight and report any areas of concern within the Organisation)

 

8.  Frequent Complaints without Foundation.

A situation where a service user makes frequent complaints alleging abuse, which after full investigation are found to be vexatious, cannot be ignored.  In such cases it is good practice to always follow the above reporting procedures.  The allegation must be reported to their care manager and the pattern of allegations must be reviewed regularly in case abuse is taking place.

 

9.  What Happens Next ?

Once they have received a referral, it is the duty of Social Work Services to make enquiries and to investigate matters of concern in relation to the protection of an adult deemed to be at risk of harm as defined by the legislation.  Where it is alleged that a crime has been committed against the adult, investigation is likely to be progressed jointly in consultation with the Police.

The investigating officers may need to speak to the staff member from whom the concerns originated.  Managers and staff of Hayfield will co-operate fully with any Police or Social Work Services enquiries, and managers will ensure that members of staff are facilitated in this.

The line manager / named person will take advice from the investigating officer about the suitability of seeking an Advocacy Worker or and Appropriate Adult to work with the adult.  However, Hayfield recognises that there are no local advocacy agencies which have staff with the knowledge or communication skill to offer truly independent services to deaf people, so other alternatives may have to be sought. The role of the care manager is also paramount in these situations.

The Care Commission will be contacted by the Hayfield line manager / named person to report incidents of abuse within the service.

 

10.  Supporting the Adult at Risk of Harm.

It is important that all employees and those involved directly with the adult seen to be at risk of harm act throughout in a facilitating and supportive manner.  Staff should avoid being judgemental and should not introduce personal or third party experiences of harm.  Every effort should be made to enable the adult to express their wishes and to make decisions to the best of their ability where appropriate, but, within a duty of care, the overriding concern is the protection of the adult from harm.

The person you are supporting is likely to continue to be involved with Hayfield following the reporting of the concerns.  Links should be maintained with the Social Work Services office involved in any investigation, in order to offer the appropriate support to the service user.

Click Here for Contact List

Click Here for Glasgow Multi Agency Referral Form (AP1)