What is Adult Protection?
Everybody has the right to feel safe and protected from harm. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (the Act) is there to protect adults vulnerable to harm or abuse.
The Moray Adult Protection Committee has a statutory role in relation to safeguarding adults at risk of harm in Moray. This consists of Moray Council, NHS Grampian, Police Scotland and other key partners. We work together, using preventative methods and early intervention, to protect adults who may be at risk of harm.
Who are ‘Adults at Risk’?
Adults at risk are defined as individuals, aged 16 years or over, who:
- are unable to safeguard themselves, their property, rights or other interests;
- are at risk of harm; and
- because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, and are more vulnerable to being harmed than others who are not so affected.
What does harm look like?
Throughout Scotland, adults are at risk of all kinds of harm. Harm can be physical, psychological, financial or sexual. Harm can also mean neglect. You can visit Act Against Harm to learn more about what harm can be or look like and for more information on how to report it.
A person’s rights
All adults at risk of harm have the right to be safe and protected. Moray Council has a legal duty to protect and support adults at risk of harm and will make enquiries about anyone known or believed to be at risk who might require support.
The Act also respects the rights we have in law. All adults – even those considered to be at risk –can refuse to discuss anything regarding their private lives, refuse to show any documentation and refuse to seek medical advice.
When working with and for adults at risk, Adult Support and Protection staff must take account of:
- the wishes and feelings of the adult at risk (past and present)
- the views of others, such as the adult’s nearest relative or others with an interest in the person’s well-being.
Moray Council also has a duty to consider the need for independent advocacy. This is someone out with the service who can be brought in to support the adult and help communicate their wishes
If you are worried about an adult being harmed, please tell us.
All adults deserve to feel safe, make their own choices and be treated with dignity and respect. If you or someone you know is not being treated this way, they may be an adult at risk of harm. Making sure that all adults are safe, particularly people who are ill, frail or have a disability, is everyone’s business.
Reporting Concerns
If you’re concerned for yourself, or someone you know, please contact:
- Police Scotland 999 in an emergency
- Police Scotland 101
- Moray Council Access Team 01343 563 999 or accesscareteam@moray.gov.uk
Adult Support and Protection
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Advice for Adults
This page provides advice and information for people who may be at risk of harm.
What is Harm?Harm is when someone hurts you or treats you badly. There are different ways that someone can harm you.
Physical Harm is when someone:
- Hits you.
- Punches you.
- Kicks you.
- Pulls your hair.
Neglect is when:
- You do not have enough food.
- You do not have clean clothes to wear.
- You do not get your medication.
- You do not get to the doctors if you are ill.
Financial Harm is when:
- Someone takes your money or your things.
- Someone makes you buy things that you do not want.
Sexual Harm is when:
- Someone touches your body when you do not want them to.
- Someone kisses you when you do not want them to.
- Someone makes you have sex when you do not want to.
Emotional Harm is when:
- Someone makes you feel sad, upset or scares you.
- They may call you names or laugh at you.
If you think this is happening you must tell someone. You can tell your:
- Family.
- Friend.
- Carer.
- Social worker.
- Police officer.
People you can tellMoray Community Care Access Team
Tel. 01343 563999
The out-of-hours emergency number is 03457 565656.
Email: accesscareteam@moray.gov.uk
Police Scotland
Tel. 101 or 999 in an emergency
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Advice for Family and Friends
Are you a friend, neighbour or relative or a member of the public?
Your friend, neighbour or relative who you are worried about is relying on you to help. If you are not sure if your friend or relative is an adult at risk then please report it anyway. It is better to be mistaken than to leave someone at risk of harm.You can remain anonymous. If you wish we will not reveal who reported their concerns. But it does help our inquiries if we can contact you to ask for more details.
There are a number of ways you can report your concerns
If you think a crime has been committed call Police Scotland on 999 (urgent calls only) or 101
If you wish to fill in a form click here and e-mail to accesscareteam@moray.gov.uk Or you can call the Moray Council Access Team on: 01343 563999 or e-mail accesscareteam@moray.gov.uk
If you think you know someone who is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed, you must tell someone. Remember, the person being harmed may not be able to report it.
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Guidance For Professionals
Workers and VolunteersIf you work or volunteer with someone you think is at risk of harm you have a duty to report concerns about an adult who may be an adult at risk. While it is good practice to talk with the adult and seek their permission to pass on your concerns their agreement is not required. Confidentiality is overridden by the duty to report under the legislation.
Please refer to your organisation’s adult protection policy.
Please use this referral form and give as much information as you can and e-mail to the Access Team accesscareteam@moray.gov.uk
If you think a crime has been committed call police Scotland on 999 (emergencies only) or 101
Or call the Moray Council Access Team on 01343 563999
National Legislation and Government Guidance- Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Adult Support and Protection revised Code of Practice – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
- Social care: Adult support and protection – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
- Communication and Assessing Capacity – A guide for social work and health care staff
- Scottish Government ASP webpages Social care: Adult support and protection – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
- National Guidance for GPs and staff in General Practice
- IRISS National Good Practice Framework for LSIs
Local Guidance and Procedures
Grampian Guidance:- Grampian Interagency Procedures for Adult Support and Protection (PDF)
- Adult Protection Information Sharing Protocol
- Grampian IRD Protocol (PDF)
- Grampian Interagency Procedures for Adult Support and Protection
- Grampian Interagency Procedure for Large Scale Investigations of Adults at Risk of Harm in Managed Care Settings
- Grampian multi-agency adult protection initial referral discussion (IRD)
- Protecting Adults in Grampian: A Learning and Development Strategic Framework
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Moray Adult Protection Committee
Moray APCThe Moray Adult Protection Committee (also known as the APC or Moray APC) is the group which meets to make sure that public services like social work, the NHS and the Police work together to support and protect adults who are at risk of harm. There are groups like the Moray APC in every council area in Scotland. The law requires us to have this group and we have guidance from the Scottish Government on what our role is and the things we are responsible for.
The role of the Moray APC is to make sure that we all work together to keep adults at risk of harm safe and get the support that they need.
The Chief Officers of Moray Council, NHS Grampian and North East Police are ultimately responsible for improving the outcomes and experience of adults who need protection. The Moray APC is the group that takes forward this work.
The CommitteePublications
Public Reports
For more information contact us…
adultprotection@moray.gov.uk