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Iriss on... duty of candour

Duty of candour is a professional responsibility to be honest with people. It means being open and transparent in health and social care support. It also means that services must say sorry when things go wrong. The Duty of Candour Procedure (Scotland) Regulations 2018 came into force on 1 April 2018. These regulations apply when there is an event which causes unintended, or unexpected, harm to an individual receiving a health or care service.

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Iriss outline: Language and service provision surrounding abuse in Scotland

This briefing looks at how legislation, policy, and services use the term ‘abuse’ and related terms such as 'victim'. Use of words surrounding abuse is complex, because how we talk about abuse can vary across contexts. It is also dynamic, because societal understanding of abuse has changed over the past decades. This briefing unpicks the different meanings the language of abuse can have - and how they have impacted policy and practice. Part of the Iriss outline series.

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Online safety and wellbeing of adults at risk of harm

This is a short introduction into supporting adults at risk of harm to stay safer online. It helps practitioners gain awareness of online safety, helping address and explore online use with people who draw on support. It also acknowledges that technology and social media can be positive for those who may be (or feel) isolated.

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Iriss outline: An overview of self-neglect

Self-neglect is one of the key challenges in Adult Support and Protection. Research has identified that health and social care professionals often find self-neglect cases personally and professionally difficult. Ethical and legal considerations, particularly where adults have the mental capacity to refuse support, can be particularly challenging. This briefing sets out key knowledge on self-neglect, including definitions, potential causes, impacts, and directions for future research. Part of the Iriss outline series.

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Online learning resource: Multi-agency Adult Support and Protection conferences (case conferences)

An online learning resource which supports professionals to improve practice in multi-agency Adult Support and Protection conferences (often called case conferences). This course goes through through the before, during, and after of a case conference. Throughout, the participation and rights of the adult at risk are kept central. It includes filmed contributions from professionals, adults and carers who are experienced in case conferences to help promote best practice.

Free account required to access.

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Tricky friends

Staying safe matters every day. This video is for the public, and encourages people to think about friendships. Are your friends “good” friends, who make you feel safe and enjoy spending time with you? Or are they “tricky” friends – who leave you feeling unsafe and take more than they give? This animation talks about what to look out for and offers links to where you can find help and support.

Seen something? Say something

Adult Support and Protection is everyone's business. This video animation, made for Scotland’s national Adult Support and Protection Day 2023, highlights the signs of self-neglect and neglect. The video is especially useful in highlighting the role that people in the community have in raising concerns. The particular context of this video is the cost-of-living crisis, which may make day-to-day decisions harder. This, in turn, can impact on people's ability to look after themselves or others around them.

Adult Support and Protection: everyone's business

This report aims to raise awareness of Adult Support and Protection and its contribution to keeping ‘adults at risk’ safe. This report introduces readers to key Adult Support and Protection definitions, duties, processes and stakeholders. It covers what we know about adults at risk of harm, with trends in types of harm alongside possible contributing factors. The report invites reflection on complex issues around safety in a changing environment.

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Chronologies in Adult Support and Protection: moving from current to best

Chronologies are consistently identified across inspection reports and reviews of Adult Support and Protection activity as an area for improvement. This report scopes the existing research on chronologies, including joint inspection reports, collated initial case reviews and significant case reviews as well as individual significant case reviews. Furthermore, interviews and a survey were used to collect views and experiences from a range of stakeholders.

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