A joint inspection of adult support and protection measures in Renfrewshire has found clear strengths in ensuring adults at risk of harm are safe, protected and supported.
Inspectors also identified areas which could further improve.
Inspectors noted that the partnership’s consistent delivery of high-quality adult support and protection work was commendable and impressive.
The partnership consistently carried out competent, effective and timely initial inquiries into concerns about adults at risk of harm. Council officers always carried them out using investigative powers when warranted.
The partnership routinely undertook investigations into concerns about an adult at risk of harm. These were of sound quality and fully in line with the Scottish Government’s revised code of practice for adult support and protection (2022). Adult protection case conferences were conducted to a high professional standard.
Strategic leaders exercised energetic leadership for adult support and protection across the partnership, engendering a positive, confident, “can-do” culture.
Strategic leadership for adult support and protection was accomplished, with elements that were sector leading. Prominent among them was the well-established commitment to rigorous multi-agency audits of the records for adults at risk of harm, and reporting audit findings in a frank, open, and transparent manner. This drove change and improvement.
The adult protection committee’s innovative approach to communicating with partnership staff who work in adult support and protection was also highly commendable. Its efforts to inform and promote adult support and protection, including to the public, were highly successful.
However, the partnership should continue its efforts to improve the quality of chronologies and risk assessments for adults at risk of harm.
The partnership should also make progress with adults at risk of harm attending their adult protection case conference, and continue its endeavours to improve representation of adults with lived experience of adult support and protection, at strategic level in the partnership.
Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “The Renfrewshire partnership’s key adult support and protection processes were consistently sound, effective, and delivered good safety, health and wellbeing outcomes for adults at risk of harm. The partnership’s strategic leadership was also highly effective overall, with elements of excellence.
“We have asked the partnership to update its existing improvement plan to address the priority areas for improvement we have identified. The Care Inspectorate, through its link inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland will monitor progress implementing this plan.”
The full report can be read here.