Adult Protection Committee

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Thursday 20th February is national Adult Support and Protection Day, and Public Protection Partners are urging everyone to look out for signs of harm and report any concerns, ensuring those at risk can receive the help and support they need to live safely.

This year’s theme is Financial Harm in Older Adults. This can include theft, fraud, pressure to give money or sign over property or misuse of benefits, as well as rogue traders and online scammers. People can be at increased risk of financial harm due to ill health, trauma or poor physical or mental health. Financial harm can happen anywhere - in someone’s home, where they work, or in a public place - and is often caused by the people closest to them - but can also happen in places responsible for keeping someone safe, such as a care home, hospital or day centre.

It’s important to speak up about any concerns you have, as the person may not be able to do so themselves.

During the course of this week Public Protection Partners will be posting information to raise awareness of financial harm, how to identify concerns, where to report these concerns and provide details on available support services. We all have a part to play in Adult Support and Protection. If you See something, Say something – everyone deserves to live a life free from harm.

If you think somebody needs help, make a report to

Aberdeen City: APSW@aberdeencity.gov.uk 0800 731 5520

Aberdeenshire: adultprotectionnetwork@aberdeenshire.gov.uk 01467 533100

Moray: accesscareteam@moray.gov.uk 01343 563999

For information see: www.actagainstharm.org/getting-help or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

The Grampian Procedure are crucial for ensuring that adults at risk receive the protection and support they need in a coordinated and effective manner. The latest version of the procedures has created strong links with the ASP National Codes of Practice and has reduced duplication between the two documents.

The Grampian Interagency Procedures for Adult Support and Protection provide a comprehensive framework for recognising and responding to situations where adults may be at risk of harm. These procedures are designed to be used by all statutory and independent sector organizations within the Grampian region.

The main purposes of these procedures include:

• Identifying and responding to risk: Helping workers recognize when an adult may be at risk and outlining appropriate responses.
• Guiding investigations: Offering principles for investigating suspected harm, including how to record information and assess risk.
• Improving skills and knowledge: Supporting local agencies in enhancing the skills and knowledge of their staff related to safeguarding adults at risk

If you have a previous version of the procedures saved please replace it with the latest version.

Below is an extract from the latest Aberdeenshire Council Trading Standards Bulletin providing advise on saying no to forceful cold callers. The full bulletin can be viewed here - Trading Standards Crime and Scams bulletin - Aberdeenshire Council

Saying no to forceful cold callers can be difficult for some people, but there are other ways to deal with situations like these. Preparation is often the key, particularly at this time of the year. For instance:

• Place ‘No Cold Callers’ notice on the garden gate or driveway gate and similar stickers at the front door. For a doorstep caller to simply ignore these and continue up to the door may be an offence under Trading Standards regulations. These would apply to any type of cold caller, such as salesmen, canvassers or people trying to drum up business or sell things door to door (pedlars),

• Fit a video doorbell at the front door. These allow the resident to link them to a mobile phone or tablet so that the resident can converse with the caller without having to come to the door, sometimes when they’re not even at home. Many video doorbells also record visitors at the door, From mountain to sea which can provide evidence of the caller’s identity if the matter has to be reported to Trading Standards. Prices are gradually falling for these and they can be fitted by a competent DIY-er,

• If there isn’t one fitted to the front door already, consider fitting a ‘fish-eye’ door viewer which allows a resident to look through the viewer and have an enhanced view of the doorstep area (due to the convex lens on the exterior of the viewer) before the door is opened. If you don’t like the look of the caller, you’re not obliged to answer the door,

• Also, consider a door chain or door bar which allows the door to be partially opened, to allow a conversation, without the door being opened all the way, so preventing the caller from literally getting a foot in the door,

• Remember too, particularly as we go into darker evenings, the lighting at the front door. Assessing who may be at the door is only feasible if you can see them properly, so consider installing a passive infra-red (PIR) activated light covering the front door area so that you can see the caller clearly,

• All of the above items can be bought for a few pounds from well-know DIY stores and fitted by a competent DIY-er for just a few pounds,

• If you’re going out into the garden (perhaps to do a tidy-up of leaves or similar), garage or shed, in case you may be approached by a doorstep caller when away from the front door, ensure first that your mobile phone is charged and that you keep it with you in case a caller becomes pushy or aggressive and you need to summon help,

• Likewise with any community alarm pendant you may carry,

• As a precaution against a doorstep caller catching you working in the garden etc. and deliberately engaging you in a protracted conversation to allow an accomplice to sneak in a back door to steal, when you exit the house, ensure all other doors (and windows are locked) from the inside and that you lock the door you exit by with a key - and keep the key on your person until you go back inside again,

• Even if there’s someone in the house when you’re working outside, securing the house can prevent problems rather than having to deal with them after they’ve happened. Let the person in the house know that you intend to do some work outside, how long you think it may take and to check with you if it takes longer (or get waylaid outside by a doorstep caller),

• As always, please report any concerns you have to your local Trading Standards office

This World Suicide Prevention Day, we want to show everyone that talking about difficult feelings, including suicidal thoughts, doesn’t have to be scary. Don't struggle alone, seek support for yourself or if you are concerned about someone else.

samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/suicide/suicide-prevention

Self-Harm Network Scotland provides free compassionate support, resources, and information about self-harm. Using the power of lived experience enables the network to work with each person to find their own way forward.

They also provide support and information to friends, families and professionals. If you self-harm and need support, they have a live chat is available between 6pm – 10pm every evening.

Home - Self-Harm Network Scotland Penumbra (selfharmnetworkscotland.org.uk)

The National Adult Support and Protection Learning & Development Network would like to invite you to join them for this event.

This is a session intended for staff or volunteers from any sector who need a basic, general awareness about Adult Support and Protection Legislation and what to do if you are worried about an adult in your personal or professional life.

There will be two identical one and a half hour sessions (you should only book one or the other - not both, they are exactly the same) run via Teams on Tuesday 25th June 2024. One session will take place from 10 am - 11.30 am and the other that afternoon from 1 pm - 2.30 pm.

ASPire June 2024 (google.com)

Hoarding specially if it leads to self neglect can have a significantly negative impact on the health and well being of a person. It is often upsetting for people who care for that person who feel powerless to support.

The National Hoarding Awareness Week run from 13- 17 May. It is an awareness campaign across the political, health and social care communities to raise awareness of the risks associated with hoarding.

If you want to get involved or to find out more information - National Hoarding Awareness Week

A free online discussion is being held on Let's Talk About Hoarding Disorder Tickets, Thu, May 16, 2024 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite