Adult Protection Policy

Policy statement

Selah Home Care is committed to protecting adults who may be at risk of harm. Staff must act promptly when a concern is raised or observed, and the safety and dignity of the adult must remain central to every decision.

The service works with social work, health professionals, Police Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, and other appropriate agencies where a concern requires external support, investigation, or statutory action.

Purpose

This policy gives staff clear guidance on recognising adult protection concerns, responding to disclosures, recording information, and escalating concerns through the right route.

It supports the principles of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and local adult protection procedures.

Adults at risk and harm

An adult may be at risk where they are unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights, or interests; may be at risk of harm; and may be more vulnerable because of disability, illness, age, frailty, mental health, learning disability, or other circumstances.

Harm may arise from a single act, repeated acts, or an omission. It may be caused by another person, a service, a failure in care, or wider circumstances that place the adult at risk.

Types of harm

• Physical harm, including assault, rough handling, or inappropriate restraint.
• Emotional or psychological harm, including intimidation, humiliation, coercion, isolation, or threats.
• Financial or material harm, including theft, fraud, pressure over money, or misuse of property.
• Sexual harm, including any sexual activity without consent.
• Neglect or acts of omission, including failure to provide essential care, medication, food, warmth, hygiene, or supervision.
• Discriminatory harm linked to protected characteristics or personal identity.
• Exploitation, domestic abuse, human rights breaches, or misuse of personal information.

Staff responsibilities

Staff must take concerns and disclosures seriously. They should listen carefully, reassure the person that the concern will be passed to the right people, and avoid making promises that information will be kept secret.

Staff must not investigate allegations themselves. Their role is to preserve safety, record facts, report promptly, and follow manager or statutory guidance.

• Call emergency services immediately if someone is in immediate danger or urgent medical help is required.
• Report concerns to the Registered Manager, deputy, or senior person on duty as soon as possible.
• Preserve any potential evidence where a crime may have occurred.
• Use professional interpreters or communication support where needed, rather than relying on family members for sensitive disclosures.

Reporting and information sharing

Adult protection concerns must be escalated to the appropriate external agencies where required. This may include Social Work, Adult Support and Protection services, Police Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, or health professionals.

Information should be shared on a need-to-know basis, in line with safeguarding duties, data protection law, and the need to prevent or respond to harm.

Recording and confidentiality

Records must be factual, timely, signed or attributable, and securely stored. Staff should record what was seen or heard, the adult's own words where possible, dates, times, actions taken, and who was informed.

Confidentiality is important, but it must not prevent appropriate adult protection action where a person is at risk or where the law requires information to be shared.

Training and review

Staff receive safeguarding and adult protection guidance during induction and through ongoing training. Managers review incidents, concerns, and learning needs so the service continues to improve adult protection practice.