Adult Support and Protection Governance Arrangements
6.1 Adult Support and Protection sits within the Public Protection arrangements and is governed by a multi-agency partnership overseen by the COG (Public Protection).
6.2 The vision for Public Protection in Dumfries and Galloway is to work together to protect Dumfries and Galloway’s most vulnerable people. This includes Adult Support and Protection, Child Protection and Violence Against Women and Girls.
Role and Responsibilities of the Public Protection Committee
6.3 The Public Protection Committee assumes the functions for Adult Protection and support as set out in the 2007 Act as follows:
- to keep under review the procedures and practices of the public bodies
- to give information or advice to any public body and officeholder in relation to the safeguarding of adults at risk within a council area
- to make, or assist in the making of, arrangements for improving the skills and knowledge of employees of the public bodies
6.4 In doing this, the Public Protection Committee performing these functions, must have regard to the promotion and support of cooperation between each of the public bodies. The public bodies involved are the council, the Care Commission, the Health Board, Police Scotland, and any other public body as required.
6.5 Dumfries and Galloway Council are responsible for appointing an Independent Chair and members of the Public Protection Committee. Membership must include nominated representatives from NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Police Scotland. Social Care and Social Work Improvement in Scotland (SCSWIS), formerly known as The Care Commission, also has the option to nominate a representative. Other members are appointed based on their relevant knowledge and skills. Committee procedures must also allow representatives of the following bodies to attend meetings:
- the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- the Public Guardian
- the Care Inspectorate (where a representative has not already been nominated to be a member); or
- any other public body or office holder that Scottish Ministers may identify
Roles and Responsibilities of the COG
6.6 The role of the COG (Public Protection) is to work collectively to identify and commission interagency activity with respect to supporting and protecting adults at risk in Dumfries and Galloway. This will be taken forward by the Public Protection Committee and monitored by the Chief Superintendent (V Division, Police Scotland), Chief Executive (NHS DG), Chief Executive (Dumfries and Galloway Council), and the Chief Operating Officer Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, with professional advice from the Chief Social Work Officer. The role of the COG will be to meet quarterly with the Chair of the Public Protection Committee to review progress and outcomes in line with the current Public Protection Strategic Plan.