Legislation

Under Adult Support and Protection legislation, local authorities have a duty to investigate harm. The major piece of legislation is the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, however there are several other Acts that will be relevant to ASP work. The resources in this category all relate to legislation (and gaining the legal literacy to apply it).

Scottish Mental Health Law Review: Our response

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review (SMHLR) was commissioned in 2019. It was tasked with considering ways to better realise and protect human rights through Scotland's mental health, incapacity and adult support and protection legislation. The Review also looked at ways to remove barriers to care and support for people currently covered by the legislation. The Review’s final report was published in September 2022 and recommends a series of changes to legislation. It also proposes a range of changes to policy and practice in the short, medium, and longer term.

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Human Rights Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) is a UK law that brings the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic law, making them directly enforceable in UK courts. It ensures that all public authorities in the UK, including the government, must act compatibly with these human rights.

The Human Rights Act rolled up, tied with a ribbon

Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007

The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 is the key piece of legislation relating to the protection of adults at risk of harm and neglect in Scotland.

There is a Code of Practice to support practical application of the Act.

The Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2007 and received royal assent on 22 March 2007.

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Understanding age in Child Protection guidance and Adult Support and Protection legislation (one-page explainer)

This one-page explainer sets out what can be found in the resource Understanding age in Child Protection guidance and Adult Support and Protection legislation. It explains how to get the most out of the resource, especially for those working with 16 and 17 year olds. This one-page explainer also contains additional reflective questions to consider and ideas for group learning sessions on the topic.

Picture of teenagers

Supervising guardians (Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership)

This video, part of Dundee's bitesize video series on the Adults with Incapacity Act 2000, explains the role of the local authority in supervising private welfare guardians. It looks at what a private welfare guardian is, how someone becomes one, and why they are supervised by the local authority. It also covers situations where there is a concern about a welfare guardian, or if the welfare guardian no longer seems necessary.

The video also contains links to other resources.

The ASPire Hub is a place for everyone working in Adult Support and Protection in Scotland to access and share resources. It is regularly updated and we welcome feedback and new additions!