Adult Protection In Kent and Medway 1987 to 2008 Carol McKeough Adult Protection Policy Manager Kent Adult Social Ser

1. Adult Protection In Kent and Medway 1987 to 2008Carol McKeoughAdult Protection Policy Manager Kent Adult Social Services

2. Road Map • 1987 Kent’s First Recorded Adult Protection Policy (single agency for older people only) • 1989—94 Kent staff involved in AP research carried out by Hilary Brown, June Stein • 1993 New AP Policy, single agency, all client groups • 1996 Research stimulated development of AP policy and procedures (health, SSD, P&V sectors and police involved) • 1997—98 First AP co-ordinator post for learning disability funded by EKHA and S.E.Kent SSD • 1998 Kent appointed an adult protection policy manager

3. Road Map:cont • 1998—2000 Multi agency steering group develops policy, protocols and procedures • March 2000 DoH published No Secrets— requiring partnership working— expectation that agencies work together • August 2000 K&M Multi agency steering group published policy, protocols and procedures • March 2001 Multi agency steering group becomes AP committee • Feb 2002 K&M Multi agency protocols for SU to SU abuse • Sept 2002 K&M Serious Case Review Procedures Ratified • June 2004 K&M Multi agency Domestic Violence Protocols ratified

4. Road Map: Cont • 2004 First PAVA group set up • 2005 Kent Police appoint specialist adult protection officers • May 2005 Revised K&M AP policy protocols and guidance (Web updates) • Oct 2005 ADSS published Safeguarding Adults National Framework of Standards for good AP practice • 2006 Health Appoint specialist AP co-ordinators • Nov 2006 Tizard Report Published • 2007 New Safeguarding Adults Structure Agreed and Implemented

5. Kent and MedwaySafeguarding Vulnerable Adults Structure Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Board Membership:- Executive Representatives of the funding agencies—LA’s PCT’s and Police Chaired by:-MD ASD Kent/AD Social Care, Medway Role:- Ultimate Decision making re budget, policy and operational matters, receiving reports from SVAC and SAOG Challenges Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Committee Membership:- Senior Representatives of all partner agencies and services Chaired By:- MD ASD Kent/AD Social Care, Medway Role:- Communication, Information sharing, discussion, recommendations to Board regarding policy and protocols, receiving reports from sub-groups Forums Committee Sub Groups Adult Protection Service User Groups County and Local Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Operational Group Membership:- Operational Managers from SSD, MH Trust, PCTs, Police, CSCI Chaired by:-Rota basis HoAS Kent & Medway, Police SIU-DCI Role:- Ensure compliance with the multi-agency policy and protocols. Identifying problems and making recommendations for changes Policy & Protocol Review Serious Case Review PAVA groups Practitioners from all agencies and services County and Local Adult Protection Carers Groups County and Local Training Multi-Agency Case Audit Mental Health Trust AP Committee

6. Challenges • Commitment to Partnership Working • Within and between LA’s, Health, Police, Housing, P&V agencies Carers and Victims of abuse. PAVA groups • Recognising Abuse—Training and Professional Development • Fine line between—crime, abuse and poor practice • Different Agency and Service Priorities • Senior management, operational staff, supervision and support

7. Challenges: cont • Flavour of the Month • Influences-- Resources, Media, Public Awareness • Legislation and Guidance— do they help, hinder or conflict? • No Secrets, POVA, ABE, MCA, Sexual Offences and Fraud Acts • No specific legislation, High Court and COP • Monitoring Casework—Monitoring Data • Different systems, Effective recording, Regular professional supervision in all agencies.

8. Ongoing Challenges • National Monitoring Requirements • Will systems/staff be able to cope? • Evaluating—monitoring outcomes for victims, services, abusers • Recognition that cases reported are the tip of the Iceberg • Resources and ongoing commitment from all agencies • Priority given to the work • Complex multi agency case work—time consuming

9. Ongoing Challenges: cont • Recognition and Reporting of Abuse • Mental health and Acute NHS provision • Learning from SCR’s • Need regular auditing of multi agency casework to support good practice • New Legislation • to pose a duty when abuse concerns are reported to share information, make inquiries, co-operate, investigate, assess and where necessary remove a person to carry out the above safely. WORKING TOGETHER