Ten years on following implementation of the Adult Support and Protection Act in Scotland, local partners have issued an upbeat statement about the progress made.
Shiona Strachan (Chief Officer) said: “Last year there were 719 adult protection referrals made across the Partnership. These included referrals about a massive range of issues, with more vulnerable people being sexually, financially and physically abused. By working together we have been able to make a real and sustained improvement to the lives of vulnerable people.”
Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Watson (Forth Valley Public Protection Unit) said: “The joint work in Clackmannanshire and Stirling between both local authorities, the NHS and Police Scotland has seen many significant successes.
"We have seen very vulnerable people who were being sexually and physically abused being made safe and subsequently thriving; older people being taken advantage of and bullied in their homes being made safe and happy; and tremendous partnerships with trading standards, the local banks, social work and health leading to huge sums of money being protected, and scammers thwarted”.
Liz Taylor, Convenor of the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Adult Protection Committee, said: “We are proud of all the work that has been done across the Partnership and what has been achieved but we all realise there is always more we can all do. To a significant extent we rely greatly on members of the public coming forward to alert us.
"People struggling to look after themselves can be at risk of all types of harm including neglect, physical, sexual and financial and we want you to let is know if you have any concerns about someone. All it takes is a single e-mail or phone call, to allow sensitive investigations to be made and protective measures taken”.
If you are worried about an adult at risk of harm you can contact:
Adult Assessment and Partnership
Social Work Department
Wolfcraigs
7/13 Dumbarton Road
Stirling
FK8 2LQ
Tel: 01786 233759
intakecomcare@stirling.gov.uk
Or
Clackmannanshire and Stirling
Health and Social Care Partnership
Kilncraigs
Greenside Street
Alloa
FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 727010
adultcare@clacks.gov.uk
Or
Police Scotland on 101