Briefings, reviews and reports

The principle that we learn from failure is important to learning and improving, and is a central reflection point when thinking about risk. However, the fear of failure remains strongly embedded in social care culture. When thinking about risk and risk assessment in Adult Support and Protection, over-cautious practice may reduce creativity and innovation. It may even act as a barrier to promoting outcomes that an adult at risk wants. This resource encourages thinking about risk in a holistic way, including considering the risk inherent in maintaining the status quo.

Chronologies are of central importance to Adult Support and Protection. In this guide, the following nine key characteristics of a chronology are explored.

Chronologies should:

Joint inspection reports provide independent scrutiny and assurance of how partnerships ensure that adults at risk of harm are kept safe, protected, and supported. This is an interim report (from 2022) and can be read in conjunction with the full report (from 2023).

Joint inspection reports provide independent scrutiny and assurance of how partnerships ensure that adults at risk of harm are kept safe, protected, and supported. This overview report summarises the inspection findings of 25 Adult Support and Protection partnerships. It shares 'success factors' - good practice that means many adults at risk of harm are safer and have enhanced wellbeing.

This report sets out the role of care homes in delivering high quality social care, and in supporting the wellbeing of Scotland’s citizens. It considers care homes in Scotland's changing economy, discussing workforce and technological issues. It particularly considers how choice, control and human rights can be the standard throughout Scotland's care homes.

This report explores the embedding of human rights within the social care sectors. In particular, it considers the concept of 'the right to health'. Based on this, the report argues for the rights to 'social care' and 'long-term care' as a human right. Practical applications of these human rights, for instance in self-directed support, decision-making, and workforce issues are discussed.

The joint inspections programme is led by the Care Inspectorate. It provides independent scrutiny and assurance of how partnerships ensure that adults at risk of harm are kept safe, protected, and supported. Good practice is also identified, supporting improvement more generally across Scotland. All the joint inspections of partnerships are published on the Care Inspectorate's website, accessed via the link.

Most recent joint inspections:

Renfrewshire (Mar 2025)

This briefing intends to provoke a conversation about the power of embracing risk as a natural part of decision making. It questions a blanket definition of risk, and looks at the impact of risk-averse and risk-positive cultures. It encourages reflection on sharing risk, reflecting on professional assumptions around risk in people's lives. Part of the Iriss on... series.

Participation recognises the valuable contribution people can make in shaping services. This briefing highlights the positive role people's experiences (including in Adult Support and Protection) can bring in improving services.