Adult Support and Protection
‘makes new provisions intended to protect those adults who are unable to safeguard their own interests, such as those affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, and who are at risk of harm or self-harm’.
The aim of intervention under the Act is to achieve a balance between respecting the adult at risk’s right to self-determination while ensuring their right to be protected from harm. The Act itself balances the need for ‘support’ through provision of information and support services, with ‘protection’ in the form of statutory orders when required.
All public agencies will have in place a set of procedures to guide their staff in response to situations of harm. However, procedures themselves do not replace the need to exercise judgement in relation to the appropriate response to specific circumstances in order to ensure both the protection and welfare of an adult at risk.
NHS has a public duty under the act. Staff are required to recognise, record and report that they know or believe an adult, is an adult at risk of harm. Staff are also required to comply with any Adult Support and Protection investigations.
If you know or believe adult is at risk of harm you must contact the local social work services AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
IF SOMEONE IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 999.
Further information and social work services contact details can be found below:
NHS LANARKSHIRE STAFF MEMBERS
Please refer to internal Adult Support and Protection Firstport page for more information or contact the NHSL Public Protection Adult Support and Protection department by emailing AdultprotectionNHSL@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
