A NEW report from a joint inspection looking into the welfare of adults at risk of harm in East Ayrshire has found “strengths” in ensuring that those in need are safe and supported.
Inspectors from the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland?carried out an?inspection?in East Ayrshire between March 2021 and June 2021.
The report claims that those at risk from harm were safer as a result of the collaborative support and protection they had received.
The report is part of a new series of inspections being carried out across Scotland looking into adult care.
Adult support and protection was a partnership priority, and leaders were said to have a clear and cohesive vision which was “well articulated in key strategic documents.”
Staff from across the partnership were found to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to adult support and protection.
The report says this was well supported by an established learning and development framework.
Collaborative working between key strategic partners, including the third and independent sector and the wider community, was described as strong.
The partnership was found to have a well-developed approach to early intervention that had strengthened community resilience.
Dedicated senior posts,?directly accountable to members of the chief officer’s group, supported the development and oversight of adult support and protection.
Inspectors also identified key areas for improvement, including that the partnership?should?improve the practice of using chronologies in adult support and protection work.
Peter Macleod, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “The Care Inspectorate and our partners Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Her 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 East Ayrshire partnership. It sets out how effectively they make sure adults at risk of harm are safe, protected, and supported.
“We found signs of encouraging progress in East Ayrshire and that adults at risk of harm were safer as a result of the collaborative support and protection they received.
“Our inspectors have also set out areas that can be further improved to ensure that adults subject to adult support and protection are better protected.”
The report recommended that the partnership should review the role and function of the social work Adult Concern Initial Response Team (ACIRT) and ?senior managers should ensure?compliance with guidance for protection planning meetings, case conferences,?and protection plans.
It was also reported that improved communication between strategic leads and frontline staff across key partners will support better understanding and application of policy, procedures, and change management.
The inspection also found that the partnership quality assurance framework was limited and did not accurately reflect critical elements of adult support and protection practice.
Revision and ongoing oversight by the Adult Protection Committee and Chief Officers Group?are now required to?aid improvement.
