A joint inspection of adult support and protection measures in the East Lothian area has found clear strengths in ensuring adults at risk of harm are safe, protected and supported. However, inspectors also identified areas which could further improve.
Inspectors found the partnership’s approach to adult support and protection inquiries was robust.
They noted that person-centred engagement and consultation with the adult at risk of harm was evident throughout the delivery of all key processes. This supported effective consideration of risk.
Effective social work management, support and supervision was consistently recorded and contributed to the effective delivery of key processes.
Almost all adults at risk of harm who required a risk assessment had one completed. The quality of risk assessment had improved significantly following the implementation of the Type, Imminence, Likelihood and Severity (TILS) framework.
The partnership’s large scale investigative process was established and included a useful reflective element that supported improvement actions.
Inspectors also noted some key areas for improvement.
They found adult support and protection improvements were positively impacting on key areas of practice. However, they noted that procedural updates had not kept pace and the guidance should be updated as a priority.
They also said findings from adult support and protection audits and improvement actions about risk management and chronologies should be fully implemented.
The report also said a multi-agency approach to audit would strengthen joint improvement work. This should involve frontline practitioners from across the partnership.
Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate said: “The Care Inspectorate and our partners Healthcare Improvement Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland were asked by Scottish Ministers to carry out joint inspections of adult support and protection across Scotland.
“This is a report of our findings for the East Lothian partnership. We are pleased to see clear strengths in the partnership’s approach to adult support and protection which is helping to ensure adults at risk of harm are safe, protected and supported. The report also reported on areas for improvement which would further strengthen its works in this important area.”
The report is available here.