Electronic Interagency Referral Discussions (E-IRDs) Engagement with the Police The West Lothian Approach to Electronic

A

dult Protection IT in support of information sharing between Health and Social Care 24th April 2013 at the

National Museums of Scotland David Robertson , Senior Responsible Officer - Information Sharing, West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership Nick Clater , Group Manager – Protection & Emergency Services, West Lothian Council

Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 - Duty to cooperate

The Act sets out statutory duties of co-operation for certain public bodies and their office-holders: Councils NHS boards Police Care Commission Mental Welfare Commission; and the Public Guardian.

These public bodies and their staff must: Report the facts and circumstances to the local Council when they know or believe that someone is an adult at risk and that action is needed to protect that adult from harm; and Cooperate with the Council and each other to enable or assist the council making inquiries.

Information Sharing: the Law

Various laws protect information. The rights to privacy and seeking consent should always be considered, but various laws also allow information sharing without consent: The Human Rights Act 1998 The Common Law Duty of Confidentiality The Data Protection Act 1998 These existing laws allow information to be disclosed without consent: where such disclosure is required by law (either a court order or statute); where such disclosure is for crime prevention, detection and prosecution; where such disclosure is in the public interest (including the best interests of adults, who are or may be being harmed). The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 adults at risk.

supports information sharing without consent when it is necessary to protect

Definition of E-IRDs

E-IRD stands for Electronic Inter-Agency (or Initial) Referral Discussion The E-IRD records the discussion between agencies to share and consider all relevant information about an adult at risk of harm.

Those undertaking the discussion make decisions and plan responses on the basis of that shared information.

Purpose of E-IRDs

To plan the investigation and establish agency involvement; To agree any immediate protective measures; To identify and share information; To establish whether a crime may have been committed; To establish whether an AP investigation is required; To establish whether an Adult Protection Case Conference (or Professional Concerns Meeting) is required; To establish what type of Adult Protection investigation is required.

Process, Recording & Timescales of E-IRDs

Limited number of staff need to be trained; Any of the three agencies can initiate an IRD; Initiating agency responsible for the completion of the E-IRD form; Initiating agency telephones other agencies and shares information; Initiating agency will record information on E-IRD form; Other agencies check E-IRD form for accuracy before closure; E-IRD form should be completed within 24 hours of IRD initiation.

Information sharing systems

C-me and eCare are established shared information systems in West Lothian designed to provide whole person view Adult version draws from host systems in Social Work, Health and Housing Provides SSA / Assessment workflow /Shared warning triggers / secure messaging and E-IRD’s Children’s version draws from host systems in Social Work, Education and Health with secure controlled access to Police and Third Sector Provides Integrated assessment Framework/Chronology/Shared warning triggers/secure messaging Host systems remain intact, minimising re-keying

Linked IT Systems

Social Services SWIFT NHS TRAK Education Services SEEMIS Council General Enquiry Tracking System GP’s GPASS Information Sharing (eCare & C-me) New in 2013 Cross Agency CP Link with Lanarkshire

Log In Screen RobertsonD ******

Home Page - Searching Justine Bell Name Justine Bell Justine Bell Justin Bell SWIFT EMS CIS

Add IRD

CPR!

14 Jun 1999 F

Core Data Set - Chronology

Justine Bell

CPR!

Justine Bell

Justine Bell

Register an Interest Pop-Up

Home Page - Adding an IRD to a client Bell Justine Name Justine Bell Justine Bell Justin Bell SWIFT EMS CIS CPR!

Add IRD 14 Jun 1999 F

IRD Form Front Page

IRD Form Page 2

What have we learned so far?

Introducing assistive technology on its own without wider system improvements is a wasted opportunity Assistive technology is not a cut-price alternative to personal service but helps stretch the human element further An approach driven by technology won’t work High level of commitment particularly at senior and Partnership levels is required Careful approach and investment of time with all stakeholders – especially staff, users, carers and clients is required Performed correctly, information sharing is of great benefit to not only the Partnership bodies but also the community

Outcomes & Benefits of E-IRDs

Number of IRDs recorded prior to March 2010 (implementation): 3 4 per month.

Number of IRDs recorded after March 2010: 12 per month.

Greater staff compliance.

Multi-agency responsibility.

Audit trail – reliable, focussed recording mechanism.

Provides significant intelligence - type of harm being perpetrated, by whom, and to whom.

Reduces need for meetings – efficiency. Improves quality and traceability of shared information (PRSA)

What are we going to do now?

Working with national and regional groups: DTSB, Best Practice Forum, South East Scotland GIRFEC Group, DSP, Lanarkshire Partnership Developing systems to support Children and Young People Legislation Single Child’s Plan, Chronology, GIRFEC, Named Person Share child protection information across Partnership Boundaries with Lanarkshire Collaborate with eHealth on including portal technology across Lothian Continue to develop information sharing services in West Lothian, Lothian and across Scotland

Thank You for Listening

Any Questions?

David Robertson , Senior Responsible Officer - Information Sharing, West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership Nick Clater , Group Manager – Protection & Emergency Services, West Lothian Council