|
My name is Ann Marie McKenna and I am the Social Work Practice Development Manager. I have worked in learning and development in East Ayrshire for the past 24 years.
What I do...
I work with a team of fabulous people who support practice development in relation to the professional and technical requirements of the social work workforce. The team also supports public protection development agendas, including the delivery of adult and child related protection training, and in supporting Violence Against Women and Girls training to multi-agency partners.
When I'm not working...
I love true crime - reading it and watching it - on T.V. obviously! I really enjoy musical theatre, my favourite is Les Misérables, and I love all things food related, particularly dining out as there are then no dishes to do.
|
|
|
My name is Gillian Hart, and I have been serving as the lead nurse for public protection within NHS Ayrshire and Arran since September 2024. In this role, I have worked across key areas including child protection, adult support and protection and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). Our current lead for adult support and protection is due to retire in October 2025 and I will be transitioning into this position to continue supporting and leading this work.
What I do...
I provide strategic and clinical leadership across key areas including child protection, adult support and protection and MARAC. My role involves working collaboratively with multi-agency partners to ensure robust safeguarding practices, supporting staff through training and guidance and contributing to the development and implementation of policies that promote the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals across our communities.
What I like best about my job...
Working in partnership with other agencies and building relationships. Knowing that the job I do daily is making a difference to the most vulnerable adults and children across Ayrshire.
When I'm not working...
Outside of work I'm a proud mum to two adult children and a devoted dog mum. I enjoy staying active through cycling, walking, paddle boarding, going to the gym and hill walking. Spending quality time with family is very important to me, and I also contribute to my community through volunteering with the children's panel.
|
|
|
 Happy hellos...
We welcome Gillian Hart, ASP Lead Officer for public protection services in NHS Ayrshire and Arran to our Adult Protection Committee. Gillian replaces Ann McArthur, ASP Lead Officer. We look forward to continuing and strengthening our relations with NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
We also welcome Ann Marie McKenna, Social Work Practice Development Manager. Ann Marie will support the committee in their public protection agenda and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our links with our learning and development partners.
Fond farewells...
Ann McArthur, ASP Lead Officer for public protection services in NHS Ayrshire and Arran we are wishing her well in her retirement. During Ann's time as ASP Lead Officer we have developed a strong working relationship and have undertaken a lot of partnership working together. We look forward to continuing this work with Gillian Hart who is taking over as ASP Lead Officer and we thank Ann for her contribution to ensuring people at risk of harm are protected in East Ayrshire.
|
|
The Annual Snapshot of Adult Support and Protection 2024 – 2025 has been developed and is now available to access.
There has been a 23% increase in adult protection referrals in 2024 – 2025 and an increase of 9% on adult concern referrals. Physical harm and financial or material harm both increased and self-neglect remained the same. The highest risks identified related to alcohol and substance use, hoarding and self-neglect, and self-harm and suicidal ideation.
Should you wish a member of the adult protection team to attend a team meeting or community event to share more information about adult support and protection then please contact Emma Guthrie or Lisa Brock who will be happy to oblige.
|
|
|
|
IRISS published on 23 June 2025 a report detailing their progress in 2024-25. They made reference to (amongst many other things) ongoing work in respect of hoarding and the taskforce established to support a more joined up national approach and explore the topic in a real life context. This is welcomed, especially given that hoarding was one of the highest risks identified over the last year in our snapshot report. The taskforce are in the process of identifying priorities for its second year and we look forward to seeing how this work progresses.
IRISS have also published on 23 June 2025 their workplan for 2025-26. Their work around adult support and protection moving forward includes:
- Improving the use of chronologies in protection practice
- Developing and maintaining key resources, guidance and courses in ASP
- Embedding new approaches to ASP data
- Providing analysis on a range of ASP data returns to understand current practice and identify areas of both positive practice and improvement
- Hosting the National Adult Support and Protection Co-ordinator (NASPC) and supporting her work to improve practice and policy in ASP
- Continuing their work in understanding and responding better to hoarding and hoarding behaviour
|
|
NHS Ayrshire and Arran public protection health team - how can we support you?
Supporting adults at risk of harm can be complex and challenging. Our team is here to offer guidance and support across all aspects of adult support and protection.
ASP advice line: 01292 513686
Available to all health and social care staff, our dedicated advice line provides support on:
- Identifying adult harm and supporting decision-making
- Consent and capacity queries
- Participation in ASP case conferences or large scale inquiries
- Information sharing, sign posting, and links to other health resources and services.
We are here to help you navigate difficult situations and ensure adults at risk receive the protection and care they need.
|
|
|
Police Scotland have entered into an information sharing agreement with the Good Morning Service, a third sector organisation who provide support to older adults. This agreement allows for direct referral of concern forms to the organisation enabling a seamless process for vulnerable individuals aged 65 and over who may benefit from additional support.
The Good Morning Service offers a daily telephone befriending and welfare check-in service. They also provide valuable information and sign posting to local groups, services, and wellbeing initiatives in the community. Their goal is to reduce isolation, increase connectedness and improve overall wellbeing in older adults who may be at risk of harm or in need of additional support.
This partnership presents an exciting opportunity to enhance the safeguarding response of the risk and concern hub by offering early, proactive engagement and community based support to those most vulnerable.
The initiative has initially been launched in South Ayrshire and is being closely monitored for sustainability and effectiveness. If referral numbers remain manageable, there will be scope to expand this service across Ayrshire in due course.
In parallel, Police Scotland are also actively engaging with other third sector organisations across Ayrshire with the aim of establishing similar information sharing agreements.
|
|
Our colleagues in CVOea Ltd. remain extremely busy in their continued support of our communities. Over this recent period they have focused on the Community Connectors, Connect Call telephone befriending service, foodbank delivery and justice and employability services.
To enable them to bridge gaps and maintain capacity at a time of high demand, they have also prioritised the development of new support and activities groups in each of their community hubs. New activities include:
- Community gym, boxing and fitness
- Multi-cultural groups
- Wellbeing groups
- Walking groups
- Community living rooms and drop-ins
- Craft groups
CVOea welcome partner groups to participate in, and deliver information and outreach sessions at each of their hubs.
Additionally, to ensure staff are kept informed and up to date with any service development or new services, they have introduced a monthly learning hub. Partner agencies are invited to attend the sessions which take the form of a show and tell model, which supports effective information sharing in relation to partners and CVOea services.
For further information, contact: info@cvoea.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
