Go to: main menu, sub menu; Skip navigation

Articles

Adult support and protection

Adult support and protection

Monday, 16th May 2011

A new team of specialist detectives has started operations in Central Scotland with the aim of ensuring adults at risk are protected from harm and criminality.

The Adult Protection Unit consists of three officers whose aim is to investigate cases in which adults with incapacity are the victims.

Working closely with Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Councils, NHS Forth Valley and Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland, the team will be based within the force's Public Protection Unit at Larbert police office. The unit also has an Adult Support Administrator.

The dedicated unit is the force's commitment towards the Scottish Government's community care policy which seeks to improve the quality of life for adults who are in receipt of social and healthcare services.

There are many different types of harm. It can be physical, psychological, financial or sexual. Harm can also mean neglect.

Officers and staff from partner agencies work within the framework of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, to identify adults at risk, provide support to them when they need it and provide the means to protect them from harm.

Central Scotland Police recognises the need for all agencies who support adults at risk to work closely together in order to help prevent abuse from happening and to respond effectively when abuse is reported or suspected.

Central Scotland Police will be the lead agency in any investigation of allegation of criminality or harm directed towards an adult at risk.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) developed the Adult Support and Protection Working Group in 2009. All Scottish Police Forces are represented on the group. The aim of this group is to continue the work of developing positive and proactive practice in the field of adult protection on behalf of the police service in Scotland.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Johnston, in charge of Public Protection, said: "The communities in Forth Valley will benefit from dedicated and caring detective officers within the Adult Protection Unit. The specialist officers will work hard to ensure that some of the most vulnerable people in the community who have concerns are dealt with.

"I am looking forward to my officers working closely with our partners and local communities to ensure that we make a real difference in the lives of the people who need us most.

"The impact for the victims can be profound and long-lasting, and it also has an impact on parents and siblings who can be also deeply affected.

"The aim is always to achieve a proper balance between working in partnership with adults and their carers. Where possible, ensuring that the 'at risk' adult's right to be protected from harm remains paramount.

"Harm is often perpetrated by people the adult at risk already knows, where a trusting relationship of unequal power may exist. The perpetrator themselves may be another service user or adult at risk who may have experienced harm themselves. Harm can also be opportunistic and dependent on issues of low self-esteem, low social status or when people are isolated from contact with others. It can be caused with deliberate intent or arise from acts of omission but whatever the cause of reason the imperative to reduce harm is clear."

Remember in an emergency always call 999.

For all other inquiries or to contact the Public Protection Unit telephone 01786 456 000.

Useful links