East Ayrshire partnership for adult support and protection welcomes findings of joint inspection report
The East Ayrshire partnership for adult support and protection has welcomed the findings from a recent joint inspection undertaken by the Care Inspectorate, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of the Constabulary in Scotland and Health Improvement Scotland.
The multi-agency inspection is one of the first in Scotland to feature the full involvement of partners in social care, police, health, independent and voluntary sectors, focusing on the collaborative work taking place across East Ayrshire to keep adults at risk of harm safe, protected and supported.
This is one of 26 adult support and protection inspections planned for completion across Scotland between 2020 and 2023, with the aim of providing public assurance about the effective operation of adult support and protection key processes and leadership.
This inspection took place between 29 March and 4 June 2021, having been delayed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, and it builds on previous inspections in Scotland from 2017-2018.
Craig McArthur, Director of East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership welcomed the findings of the inspection. He said: “We have a long history of successful partnership working in East Ayrshire and it’s very heartening to see the efforts of all partners being recognised for the role they play in keeping adults at risk of harm safe, protected and supported.
“Collaboration was noted as a key strength of the partnership and inspectors praised the vision of the partnership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the ‘strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic was robust and proactive’ and ‘the work undertaken with the community was excellent’.
“We know our adult protection business and we know it well, but at the same time we know that improvements are always required. The findings from this inspection have provided a framework for us to take these forward in partnership.”
Susan Maguire, Chair of the East Ayrshire Adult Protection Committee, said: “This report rightly recognises the partnership’s commitment to keep adults safe from harm and it has confirmed our priorities for improvement going forward.
“Specifically we are looking at ways of further improving communications with the workforce to ensure policies and procedures are followed, and we will be looking to improve the use of chronologies to help us better understand the complexities of individual cases.
“The report also highlights the positive impact of early intervention in building and strengthening community resilience and recognises that this approach in East Ayrshire supports and protects adults.
“Our strong collaborative approach to protecting and supporting adults at risk of harm, including working alongside our partners in the third and independent sector and the wider community will stand us in good stead as we consider the recommendations from this inspection.”
The partnership will now prepare a joint improvement plan to address the priority actions and progress will be monitored through the East Ayrshire Adult Protection Committee and Chief Officer Group.
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Notes to editors
The strengths of the East Ayrshire adult support and protection partnership were highlighted in the report:
- Adults at risk of harm are safer as a result of the collaborative support and protection they receive.
- Leaders have a clear vision for adult support and protection which is well communicated across the partnership.
- The workforce have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to adult support and protection. This is supported by a well-established learning and development framework.
- There is strong collaborative working between key strategic partners, including the third and independent sector and the wider community.
- The partnership has a well-developed approach to early intervention and this has strengthened community resilience.
- Dedicated senior posts support the development and oversight of adult support and protection.
The report also highlights a number of priority improvement actions for the East Ayrshire adult support and protection partnership:
- The partnership should improve the practice of using chronologies in adult support and protection work.
- The partnership should review the way it works with initial inquiries and adult concern referrals.
- Senior managers should ensure that guidance for protection planning meetings, case conferences, and protection plans is followed.
- Improved communication between strategic leads and frontline staff across key partners will support better understanding and application of policy, procedures, and change management.
- The partnership quality assurance framework should be revised to accurately reflect critical elements of adult support and protection practice.
Link to full report: https://bit.ly/3l1EkVr