Adult Support and Protection: Large Scale Investigation guidance

2. Large Scale Investigation 7 Minute Briefing

The seven-minute briefing is a quick overview of the Guidance, clearly setting out what the Guidance is, who it is for, and what it will help with. Each part of the seven-minute briefing is separated into one-minute bitesize segments, with each segment clearly setting out essential elements of the Guidance. The briefing can be used by local areas to introduce the Guidance, or incorporated as part of Large Scale Investigation training. As a basic overview, it is also useful for anyone who is less familiar with Large Scale Investigations. Thank you to Jeanette Sutton at Iriss (The Institute for Research, Innovation in Social Services) for designing this 7 minute briefing.

Seven minute briefing

Minute 1: What is a Large Scale Investigation?

A Large Scale Investigation, or LSI, is a specific and time-bound type of Adult Support and Protection investigation. It may be required when there is a belief that a particular service, or an alleged harmer, may be placing more than one adult defined as ‘at risk’ under Section 3(1) of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 at risk of harm.

Large Scale Investigations apply to services provided by agencies and/or organisations. They can also apply when there is an alleged harmer, unconnected with a service, placing more than one adult at risk of harm.

Minute 2: How was the guidance developed?

This guidance was developed by a short-life working group drawn from many different geographical areas. The group included local Health and Social Care partnerships, Police Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Care, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Iriss, the National Adult Support and Protection Co-ordinator, and Scottish Government. Everyone shared their knowledge, experience and expertise to shape the guidance. Other public bodies reviewed the guidance at draft stage. It also underwent engagement with ASP stakeholders.

The guidance also drew from the 2023 Adult Support and Protection National Large Scale Investigation Framework. This framework was based on good practice, policy, research, and feedback from professionals experienced in LSIs.

Minute 3: Who is this guidance for?

Everyone who is involved in carrying out, or may be subject to, an LSI will find this guidance helpful. This includes (but isn’t limited to) Council Officers, their managers, ASP Lead Officers, members of Adult Protection Committees (APCs), senior ASP leaders, commissioning teams, Chief Officer Groups, the Care Inspectorate, Police Scotland, Health Improvement Scotland, local Health Boards, and providers of health and/or social care services.

LSIs are complex. Many different organisations and individuals may be involved. This guidance seeks to clearly set out everyone’s roles and responsibilities and promote the joint working that’s not only a duty, but so important in making LSIs effective. For example, there is clear information about which organisations should be notified that an LSI has begun – alongside how to do this.

Minute 4: What will the guidance help with?

The guidance aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of LSIs. It includes sections on instigating, commencing, conducting and concluding LSIs. There is also a section on work that councils can undertake to help prevent the need for LSIs.

Scotland is a diverse country, and this guidance doesn’t suggest changing job titles, meeting names, or other specifics. Indeed, many aspects of the guidance explicitly support a locally-agreed, and context-specific, approach to LSIs.

Minute 5: A clear process

There is benefit to everyone (including services that may be subject to an LSI) in having clear guidance to aid local processes, and to improve outcomes overall. The guidance supports using LSIs as a planned and structured intervention wherever possible, while recognising that LSIs may also need to be locally flexible and respond to changing circumstances.

The guidance will be especially helpful at the beginning and end of an LSI. It contains clear information about the factors to consider in each circumstance. The guidance also includes a flowchart setting out a simplified version of the LSI process. Each part of the flowchart is cross-referenced with the relevant part of the guidance.

Minute 6: The Large Scale Investigation principles

These are values that inform the process of an LSI throughout. They were originally created for the 2023 Adult Support and Protection National Large Scale Investigation Framework and have now been adapted for this guidance.

These principles are that LSIs should be person-centred, supportive, planned, multi-agency, professionally curious, lawful, and clearly communicated. Throughout, the guidance offers numerous practical ways to help everyone achieve these.

Minute 7: Resources to help

Alongside the guidance, there are several supporting documents and templates. These can be used as they are, or freely adapted to local need.

For instance, there is a plain-language ‘Frequently Asked Questions about LSIs’ accompanying the guidance. It can be adapted by local areas to create their own public- and provider-facing information on LSIs. There are also templates for organisational chronologies, notification letters, requests for information, meeting agendas, and outcome reporting.