May 2024

Learning Disability Health Checks

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has been progressing the delivery of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities, in line with the Scottish Government's new specification. 

Bank Nurses are currently being recruited for this purpose.  This has proven successful during the initial implementation in the North, which has provided a valuable opportunity to refine some aspects of delivery, including the assessment process. 

Building on experience

Building on that experience and the approval of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) covering the work, Health Checks are now being arranged for clients in East Ayrshire. 

Taking the existing GP Learning Disability Registers as a starting point, and cross referencing this with other data sources (primarily individuals known to the Learning Disability Service and recorded within Care Partner), the team has identified a cohort of 773 individuals.  This number will continue to be refined as delivery moves forward. 

Appointments

So far, 130 appointments have been offered to East Ayrshire clients, and 42 Health Checks completed by the Nurse working in the area.  A light-touch evaluation of the work in North Ayrshire has been written up in draft form, and will be shared once finalised.

Adult Support and Protection Reflection Guidance for staff

The Public Protection (ASP) Health team is adding to its service. 

From 1 April 2024 the team is available to deliver ASP practice reflection sessions to teams and/or individual practitioners who have been involved in the care and support of patients who have experienced ASP processes.

These practice reflection sessions can benefit staff in many ways, including:

• Enhancing the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective support and protection for adults at risk of harm
• Provide an opportunity for reflective discussion and shared/team learning and development
• Signposting to best practice guidance, policies and legislation
• Promoting positive self-care, emotional support and stress management
• Supporting staff to process their emotions, build resilience and develop strategies to maintain their well-being while providing support in complex situations

For a copy of the ASP Practice Reflection Guidance please contact

clinical asp health

Lived Experience Project

In 2022 it was identified that the existing method of gathering the lived experience of Adults at Risk of Harm did not provide useful data to inform improvement activity. 

To this end, a case was made for funding to be secured for a post in East Ayrshire Advocacy whose remit would be to record the lived experiences of all individuals (and/or their legal proxies/unpaid carers) who have been subject to an ASP Episode. 

The post was recruited in 2022 and became live in January 2023.  Referrals to this service must not be confused with referrals for adults who require Advocacy Support and therefore a more detailed description of What, Who, When and How is provided below.

What qualifies as Lived Experience?

Any adult that has been referred as an Adult at Risk of Harm, regardless of when their journey ends, will have had "lived" experience" of being an Adult at Risk of Harm.

Who can be referred to the Lived Experience Project?

Any adult who has been referred as an Adult at Risk of Harm and/or their legal proxy or unpaid carer who has been involved in the Adult at Risk of Harm's journey.

When should I make a referral? 

Referrals should be made once the ASP Episode has been completed, no matter when the ASP Episode ends no matter what stage in the process the adult reached.

How do I make a referral to the Lived Experience Project?

• make referrals online at East Ayrshire Advocacy Services: Referral form
• email East Ayrshire Advocacy Services
• telephone 01563 574442

National Implementation Group

Following the publication on 28 July 2022 of the revised ASP Code of Practice, a National Implementation Group was developed to consider how to adapt, and if required, change local guidance, procedures and practice to align with the revised Code and subsequently implement these adaptations.  From this four sub groups were convened to progress specific workstreams:

• Chronologies - East Ayrshire is represented on this group
• Self-Evaluation - East Ayrshire is represented on this group
• Service User Involvement - East Ayrshire is represented on this group
• Inquiries, Investigation and the role of the Council Officer - South Ayrshire is represented on this group

It was initially agreed that this groups would stand down after two years (August 2024) however it has now been agreed that this won't be the case. 

The group will extend beyond the initial two year deadline for as long as necessary, until the changes made by the revised Code of Practice have been implemented.  The National Implementation Group will undertake a check in with each of the sub groups to identify progress in August 2024, and they will then review the groups on an annual basis.

It has also been agreed that any resources developed by the National Implementation Group Sub Groups will be endorsed via the National Strategic Forum, chaired by Marie Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport.  This group convenes twice a year in March and September.

East Ayrshire Improvement Sub Group

The two year Improvement Plan remains on target at 67% completion.  Work  completed so far includes:

• Improvements to the Sub Group reporting template to make sure the balance of statistical and qualitative information is shared focuses on impact
• Self-Neglect Rapid Literature Review was undertaken and presented to the Group for the Multi-Agency Self-Evaluation ASP Audit and was used to inform the training for auditors, the audit question set and informing the findings of the Audit.
• The Multi-Agency Self-Evaluation ASP Audit Report has now been finalised and presented to both the Audit Co-ordination Group and East Ayrshire Adult Protection Committee.

Adult Support and Protection Learning and Development Resources

The National Adult Support and Protection Learning and Development (ASP) Network hosted an Adult Support and Protection Innovation and Reflection event (ASPire) in February 2024.  You can watch this event here: ASPire 2024 - YouTube

The key themes were:

• Police input on Sextortion
• Mental Welfare Commission input on Learning Review for AB
• Care Inspectorate input on Learning Reviews (good practice and areas for improvement)
• Solicitor Nairn Young talks about Undue Pressure

Useful Resources

• East Ayrshire Council Adult Protection Webpages
• East Ayrshire Adult Protection Intranet Pages (EAHSCP & EAC employees only)
• IRISS Learning Resources
• P&L Training Website
• National Adult Support & Protection Co-ordinator Website
• AthenA - Home (NHS Employees only)

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