Fife Multi-Agency Adult Protection Guidance - Home Page

Screening must show evidence of contact with partner agencies and teammanager involvement. 4Screening decisions should clearly record whether the social worker considersthe adult to be at risk of harm or whether further investigation is necessary.The social worker must accept the report.If the information suggests that the adult is in immediate danger, orappears to be the victim of a crime, the contact centre social workermust contact the relevant emergency service (police, ambulance, fireservice) to advise of his/her concerns if this has not already been doneby the reporting agency.Physical or sexual harm should always be reported to the policeimmediately in order to preserve vital evidence.Securing the immediate health and wellbeing of the adult must takepriority.If the cause for concern relates to an adult with a mental disorder in urgentneed of protection, it may be appropriate to seek the advice of a mental healthofficer (MHO).If SWIFT identifies that the adult is already allocated to a worker within aCommunity Care Assessment and Care Management team, the contactcentre worker should contact that worker directly by telephone to establish ifthey can proceed with the cause for concern report. If telephone contactcannot be established with the allocated worker there should be no furtherdelay and the contact centre social worker must begin the screening process.Allocated workers outwith assessment and care management teams arerequired to co-operate with the contact centre social worker, but will not beresponsible for screening the cause for concern - for example, criminal justiceworkers.The contact centre social worker must discuss all adult cause for concernreports received with their on-site line manager (or alternative manager if theline manager is not available) to agree on how best to proceed.3.8 Adults placed within regulated settings by other authoritiesFife social work service has the responsibility to undertake inquiries into anyallegations regarding an adult at risk of harm placed by another authority inFife. The placing authority has a duty to co-operate with Fife social workservice when undertaking such inquiries.4 While social work retains lead responsibility, partners must be familiar with each other’s roleand responsibilities, particularly where a multi-agency investigation is required.23