Overview of section

This section includes procedures relating to practitioner roles and responsibilities, following receipt of a report by social services.

There are specific details about responding to a report: overview of task and process including:

• guidance on information-gathering by the report-maker - completing initial checks
• receiving reports in the local authority where the adult is at risk
• managing repeated reports of abuse and/or neglect
• clarifying next steps with the report-maker
• contacting the police following a report
• managing reports out of usual office hours
• taking immediate protection and urgent action to protect the adult at risk
• possible outcomes following a report: initial screening decisions

s126 enquiries under Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 are explained and the following specified:

• delegation of s126 Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 enquiries to another agency
• key points for consideration when completing s126 enquiries including:
• person-centred enquiries
• assessing mental capacity
• enquiries under s126 of the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) and police investigations
• identifying care and support needs timescales
• actions following the death of an adult at risk during s126 Enquires
• what to do if the adult at risk moves during s126 Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 Enquiries

The responding to a report process including:

• engaging the adult at risk and their family including:
• making immediate contact with the adult at risk
• what to do If the adult at risk does not want any action taken
• gathering and sharing information-sharing as part of s.126 Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 Enquiries including:
• the responsibilities of practitioners approached for sharing information with social services
• initial evaluation should follow to decide what action is required to support and protect an adult at risk.
• medical examination and treatment may be necessary.
• outcomes (determinations) of s126 enquires Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014
• recording outcomes
• roles and responsibilities: lead co-ordinator, delegated lead co-ordinator and lead practitioner.

A strategy meeting/ discussion: the purpose should take place if the s126 enquiries conclude that social services have reasonable cause to suspect an adult at risk is being abused or neglected. Strategy meeting/ discussion: key considerations including:

• timescales
• roles and responsibilities: lead co-ordinator, delegated lead co-ordinator and lead practitioner.
• participation in strategy discussions
• chairing
• the agenda
• recording
• the outcomes of the strategy discussion/ meeting
• supported and informed decisions
• agreed plan of action

Procedures on complex situations including:

• managing professional disagreements
• disagreements with the adult at risk and their family
• sharing outcomes of a strategy discussion/meeting with the adult at risk.
• managing difficulties in gaining access to the adult at risk
• relevant legal powers
• Adult Protection and Support Orders (APSOs).
• investigations and co-ordinated multi-agency response to concerns