PAPER
C2
Purpose : for Decision
REPORT
TO THE EXECUTIVE
Date : 3 DECEMBER 2003
Title : TO CONSULT ON THE PROPOSED
APPROACH TO DEALING WITH THE ADULT PROTECTION AGENDA
REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SOCIAL
SERVICES AND HOUSING
IMPLEMENTATION DATE : 1 APRIL 2004
SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1 The
Executive is asked to endorse the approach suggested in managing the protection of vulnerable adults agenda and the
appointment of an adult protection co-ordinator.
BACKGROUND
2
For many years there has been increasing concern about the abuse or
potential abuse of vulnerable adults. The Government signaled an intent to
provide better protection for vulnerable adults in the 1998 White Paper
“Modernising Social Services” followed up by the “No Secrets” document in March
2000 and (guidance issued under section 7 of the Local Authority Social
Services Act 1970). This requires Local
Authorities in their Social Services function to act under the general guidance
of the Secretary of State, as such this does not have the full force of
statute
but should be complied with unless exceptional local circumstances apply.
3
No Secrets gives clear guidance on developing and implementing
multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from
abuse. Within this prevention of abuse
is key, but if this fails then underlying principles are crucial to ensure that
appropriate action is taken and lessons learned.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
4
This is a high priority area with a recent Government select committee
on “Elder Abuse” headed by the ADSS chairperson Sue Finnes. Furthermore, better Government for Older
People have set up a task group with campaigning groups and representatives
from Local Authorities and there is a possibility of “No Secrets 2“ being
issued as a follow on from “No Secrets” guidance of March 2000.
5
Within this guidance Local Authorities must:
§
Play a coordinating role in developing local and
inter-agency policies and procedures, joint protocols and coherent
strategies. A range of stakeholders
should be included in this.
§
Support and initiate programmes to raise awareness of abuse issues
§
Actively
Promote Empowerment and the well-being of vulnerable adults through services
provided directly and through others.
§
Act in a way that supports the rights of the individual and
recognises those people who are unable to make their own decisions.
§
Ensure that the Law and Statutory
requirements are known and used appropriately.
6.
The island’s multi-agency Adult Protection Committee (APC) are
reviewing referrals and processes on the island and there are clear gaps. There has been a significant increase in the
number of referrals and whilst we have a current adult protection practice
guidance document and procedural policy, these need to be reviewed and there
are examples from other areas of good practice which we can draw on.
7.
The current lead officer is the Team Manager of the Duty Team and the
designated chair of the APC is the Head of Service for Adults. The former currently undertakes tasks as an
add-on to his main job. Attendance at
South East Regional Networking Group of Adult Protection co-ordination has
highlighted the fact that the Isle of Wight Local Authority is the only one
without a dedicated worker out of 19 Local Authorities.
8.
The APC has no budget and comes up against other competing priorities
and targets. It is clear that a greater
priority and commitment is needed from all the agencies involved if the
protection of vulnerable adults on the island is to be preventative and
robust. This would start with the
agreement to appoint an adult protection coordinator.
9.
There are clear implications for information/publicity, training,
workforce development and management of staff. A number of other Local Authorities have employed an Adult
Protection Coordinator to carry out all these tasks and we would wish to do the
same in the next financial year.
CONSULTATION
10.
We have a duty to provide information for public, user and staff
working in this area, which is currently in hand and will be available shortly
in accessible formats and pitched appropriately so that feedback is
received.
11.
We also need to ensure that all parties with whom we contract for adult
service are aware of and have received copies of our policy and procedure
information and have an opportunity to comment, this is also in hand.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
12.
The cost of the adult coordinator post, which will be funded by savings
elsewhere within the Directorates budget.
13.
Cost of production of abuse awareness material for service users,
public and
staff working in
this area, which it is anticipated will be found from existing budgets.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
14.
The legislative framework is identified in paragraph 2.
OPTIONS
15. Essentially there are 2 separate issues
each with 2 options
·
To carry on without specific designated resources or
appoint an adult protection coordinator to lead this area
·
To endorse the existing approach or request an
alternative be devised
EVALUATION/RISK
MANAGEMENT
16. Failure to grasp this agenda and drive forward
practice and procedure would leave us exposed both under the Human Rights Act
and the Disability Discrimination Act.
17. We are able to
implement this at no cost from existing resources.
|
RECOMMENDATIONS
18.
That the Executive endorse the proposed management
of this agenda
19.
That the Executive agree to the appointment of a
dedicated adult protection coordinator to be funded from existing budgets.
|
BACKGROUND
PAPERS
·
No Secrets (2000)
·
Adult Protection Procedural Policy and Adult Protection Practice
guidance document (revised 2002).
·
Human Rights Act (1998)
·
Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
·
Valuing People (2000)
·
Better Government for Older People
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Monitoring Records for Adult
Abuse Incidents - Appendix A (attached)
Contact
Point : Sandy Weller, Head Of
Adult Services, Social Services Headquarters, 01983 520600 Ext 2247 Email:[email protected]