Stirling Council’s Bannockburn enterprise hub is a multi-purpose digital space. It hired by businesses, community organisations and individuals. The council’s Community Development Team (CDT) operates the Hub.

The improvement issue

Staff at Bannockburn Enterprise Hub noticed an increase in the number of vulnerable older adults dropping into the hub. They were seeking a range of support and advice. The CDT recognised that they were not equipped to respond to older adults who may be at risk of harm. They identified a need for training and a shared protocol for the CDT and partners so that they could give vulnerable adults better support and protection.

What the setting did

The adult support and protection lead officer and a training officer from the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership developed training and a protocol for staff. Initial training was designed to raise awareness for staff working in all sectors who may come into contact with adults who may be at risk of harm, such as community development staff or family support workers.

Learning outcomes from the training were for staff to be able to:

• recognise and understand who an adult at risk is
• recognise and understand the types and patterns of harm
• be clear about their duty to report any concerns about actual or suspected harm
• have an awareness of the principles within adult support and protection legislation
• understand the procedures and guidelines in the organisation that would support staff to report concerns.

What the sustained impact has been

The CDT have had access to training on adult support and protection and have an improved understanding of procedures.

The CDT also now has a simple adult protection reporting harm protocol and guidance in place. It clearly sets out the process for staff to follow, should they need to respond to concerns, or if another member of staff raises concerns with them about a vulnerable adult.

Staff now complete risk assessments for adults using the hub who are identified as being vulnerable adults.

CDT staff have increased knowledge and confidence having done the training and through using the protocol and risk assessments. They are more equipped to respond to any adult support and protection concerns and report to the appropriate agency. This approach has the potential to lead to better safety outcomes for vulnerable older adults.