The protection of this group of people should be a priority for everyone involved in providing care and support for adults at risk of harm. Each of the partner organisations in Dumfries and Galloway must have their own internal procedures to guide all staff in relation to the incidence of adult protection measures. The duties and responsibilities set out in the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, together with the information contained in the Code of Practice, the West of Scotland Inter-Agency Adult Support and Protection Practice Guidance, and these procedures will underpin any intervention and action required of the Social Work Service.
The purpose of these procedures is to provide a clear framework that will inform and assist all Social Work staff involved in the support and protection of adults at risk. To provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities of staff within social work in dealing with suspected or alleged harm of an adult at risk and defining how to deal with and respond appropriately to allegations or suspicions of harm wherever it occurs.