Fife Multi-Agency Adult Protection Guidance - Home Page

Appendix 3Substance Misuse Protocol(To be read in conjunction with Multi-agency Adult Protection Guidance, Reporting Harm Protocol andSocial Work (Assessment and Care Management) Protocol)Principles and PracticeReports of harm involving substance misuse can be complex and challenging.The adult has the right to choose how they live and this needs to be balancedagainst the need to intervene where the adult is unable to cope because ofillness, mental disorder, disability or infirmity.Each case must be approached and addressed on an individual basis,including consideration of how the adult will respond to any intervention, priorto making a decision about how to proceed.Substance misuse fits the criteria of self-harm as defined in the Adult Supportand Protection (Scotland) 2007 Act, therefore the ASP Act may be suitable ifthe 3 point criteria of the definition of an adult at risk is met:1. Unable to safeguard their wellbeing, property, rights or otherinterestsand2. At risk of harmand3. Because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illnessor physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to beingharmed than adults who are not so affected.The Council has a responsibility to inquire where it knows or believes that theadult is an adult at risk. Part of the inquiry must involve talking with otherrelevant agencies to gather information (Inter-agency Referral Discussion-IRD)Once the inquiry is completed a decision will be made with others involved(a multi-agency decision) about if and how an intervention under AdultProtection legislation will proceed.All decisions must be recorded, even if the decision is to take no action underAdult Protection.51