This forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Multi-Agency Adult Support and Protection Guidance.
1. Adult Protection Investigations
1.1 Social Work Services must commence an investigation within locally agreed timescales. An Adult Protection Investigation will generally be necessary where the information gathered as part of the Inquiry suggests the adult is an adult at risk of harm and the council may need to take action to protect them. In determining whether an investigation is required there should be regard to the principles and consideration of other relevant legislation.
Planned Investigations
1.2 It is the responsibility of the Council Officer to lead on Adult Protection Investigations. This would include the use of investigatory powers set out in Section 7-10 of the Act which may involve other agencies if their action or
contribution is required to forward the investigative process i.e. Housing, Health, Police or a Specialist Service.
1.3 If at any stage of the Investigation it appears that a crime may have been committed, the relevant information must be passed to the Police at the earliest opportunity. While good practice is the adult at risk should be included in the process and given the opportunity to give their view this does not detract from the responsibilities of the public agencies to make a referral and the discussion and reasons for this recorded.
1.4 The Adult Protection Investigation should be carefully planned to ensure that:
- all available information is gathered and considered
- the adult is fully supported to contribute
- any medical intervention is provided
- any medical evidence is captured
- the ethos of the ASP Act is upheld
Planning an Investigation
1.5 A visit to the adult and an interview with them is likely to be central to the Investigation and will usually require careful planning and a sensitive approach.
1.6 It is the task of the responsible Manager in Social Work to agree the format of the Investigation.
1.7 The Investigation must be a planned process and roles and remits of the investigating officers must be agreed beforehand as to:
- the time and place of the visit - the visit must be made at reasonable times
- whether to give notification of proposed visit and of the purpose (for both
- of the above there is a need to take into account level and nature of risk
- and the likelihood of being able to speak to the adult in private)
- who will ask the questions
- who will record the interview
- timescales for completion of each task
- the benefit of involving advocacy services
- support for the adult and any carer
- communication requirements
- is there a need to access other agency records
- involvement of medical staff in the Investigation
- involvement of Mental Health Officer services in the process
- any potential issues as to capacity, consent and undue pressure
- risk assessment undertaken to ensure staff safety during any visit
1.8 The content of interviews and any decisions made by the adult, including who attends, require to be appropriately recorded. Reference should be made to guidance given in local procedures.
Planning Large-Scale Investigations
1.9 The Code of Practice advises that multi-agency Adult Protection procedures should include a procedure for Large-Scale Investigations (LSIs). Dumfries and Galloway currently follow the West of Scotland guidance as a single agency Social Work procedure however local LSI guidance is in development.