Why it matters
Some adults can’t always protect themselves. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 makes it a legal duty for organisations to work together to protect them. This is especially important in care homes.
Everyone working in a care home has a role to play in keeping people safe.
What care home residents should expect
The Health and Social Care Standards say that people should feel safe and confident in their care. This includes:
- being protected from harm, abuse, and neglect
- staff noticing when something is wrong and acting quickly
- being listened to and taken seriously
- action being taken if someone goes missing or is at risk
- feeling safe in the care home and the wider community
Who this guidance is for
This guidance is for:
- care home managers and staff
- visiting professionals
- adults living in care homes and their families
It was created by a group of local professionals, including care home staff, to make sure everyone is working in the same way to protect adults.
What care homes need to do
Care homes should:
- have their own adult protection policies that match local and national guidance
- use safe recruitment practices
- make sure staff have the right training, including adult protection
- provide enough staff with the right skills
- offer regular supervision and support for staff
- have clear ways for people to raise concerns or complaints
- have a whistleblowing policy that staff can use safely