Fife Multi-Agency Adult Protection Guidance - Home Page

4 Adult Protection InvestigationsPerson Responsible:Allocated social worker or appointed council officer and team manager.Actions to be taken:Investigations should be completed within 2 weeks (10 working days).4.1 Interagency referral discussions (IRD)The screening process should have established whether the adult is at risk ofharm and whether s/he may need protective measures or that a visit to theadult is necessary by a council officer to determine this, if there is insufficientinformation. It is the responsibility of Fife social work service to lead on adultprotection investigations. The IRD requires all relevant information to beshared to agree an initial action plan.4.2 The purpose of the IRD is to:• identify and share relevant information with partner agencies regardingthe subject of the allegation• establish whether a crime has been committed requiring policeinvestigation• agree what protective measures are immediately required to safeguardthe adult at risk• establish what inquiries are required by Fife council social work service• where there is more than one adult at risk of harm, a decision must bemade on whether to conduct a large scale inquiry• plan the investigation and establish which agencies will be involved.Legal services should also be part of the IRD where adult protection lawrequires clarification.Where the allegation of harm relates to an adult at risk within any NHS facility,the social work team manager overseeing the investigation and the nominatedNHS manager will work co-operatively.27