The initial evaluation builds on the accuracy and factual screening to decide what action should be taken to support and protect the adult at risk . This is achieved by collecting, reviewing and collating information obtained from the adult at risk, and/or practitioners who know the adult and carers during the s.126 enquiries .
The way in which evaluation takes place is at social services discretion.
Social services should ensure the following are addressed when considering the information for evaluation:
- information required to establish whether the adult is an adult at risk;
- those in contact with the adult at risk, their carers and family and the relevant information they hold;
- involvement of the adult at risk, their carers and family in the evaluation;
- recognition of race, faith, ethnicity, disabilities, mental or physical illnesses;
- appropriate methods to gather information;
- assessment of mental capacity;
- the need to be aware of contaminating any evidence that might be used in any current or future criminal investigation ;
- the importance of recognising that any enquiries are proportionate and compatible with the European convention on human rights and sections 5, 6, and 7 of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014;
- the mental capacity of the adult at risk to make specific decisions if there is reason to suspect impairment of, or a disturbance in the functioning of, the mind or brain. In accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.