Adult protection caseload rises by 62% in Angus
Adult protection activity in Angus is set to continue its upward climb as frontline staff increase their awareness of those at risk.
In the 12 months to April, almost 350 vulnerable adults across the district were referred to the local authority’s social work and health department in relation to adult protection issues.
The majority — 212 of the total caseload of 332 — related to adult at risk reports from Tayside Police covering alleged abuse ranging from physical and sexual cases to financial and institutional issues, and self-harm and neglect.
During the year the reports led on to six prosecutions, with three resulting criminal convictions.
The data was reported in Angus Adult Protection Committee’s (AAPC) 2010 biennial report to Angus strategic policy councillors in Forfar on Tuesday night, which stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of the area’s at-risk adults.
AAPC independent chairwoman Margaret Wells described the progress made since the implementation of the Adults Support and Protection Act (Scotland), which brought with it new responsibilities and powers.
Sweeping change
“The pace and scope of change during the past year has been enormous,” she said of the challenges which have developed since taking on the role in summer 2009.
“From referrals, there were 277 inquiries and in 44 cases some alternative action, such as advice or assessment for community care services, was provided,” says her report. “In 58 cases, suspected harm to at-risk adults was fully investigated and there have been 43 initial case conferences.”
Alongside the police referrals, cases were brought to the committee by integrated social work and health teams, along with a small number of self-referrals.
“There is growing awareness of the need to protect adults who are at risk of harm,” the report continued. “2009-10 has seen the need for inter-agency co-operation in very sensitive areas of work.
“The strength and commitment of the partnership has been evident in the development of arrangements for medical examination and in the implementation of banning orders.”
The Angus workload meant that at any one time in the past year, there was an average of almost 30 adult protection plans in place for vulnerable people across the county, all being monitored and reviewed.
“This activity has resulted in adults at risk being protected directly because of the implementation of the legislation and provides some evidence of the difference adult protection services are making to people’s lives,” the report said. “Adult protection activity rose by 62% from April 2009 to March 2010.
“This indicates that awareness of frontline staff concerning the duty to protect adults at risk is increasing.
Forfar councillor Glennis Middleton said, “I am delighted to see that things have gone so far forward in adult protection — it is a sad fact of life that it is absolutely necessary.
“This is happening today here in Angus and the awareness raising is very important,” she added.
