Adult support and protection learning and development: national framework

Section 5: Looking forward

Parallels with other public protection areas

This Framework is written with Adult Support and Protection practice development at its core, but it would be remiss not to see the parallels with Child Protection and other public protection areas. The experiences of adults will inevitably impact on how they function with children and other family members. This Framework strongly emphasises the need for all services involved to work with families holistically. For all colleagues, regardless of whether we work in an Adult Support and Protection or Public Protection model, the Framework emphasises the need for a whole family approach to assessment of need and concern, acknowledging the cycle of life, human development, and transition.

If we take a truly trauma-informed approach to service delivery, these transitions through the life process would be an easier path for people using our services. The learning and development resources focusing on contextual safeguarding are one example of where both adult and children’s services benefit from joint protection work, supported by shared learning and development. The approach to transition between services, for example, for young adults between 16-18 years of age and beyond, is a critical element of this. It can be best seen in the context of assessed need, vulnerability and early help, regardless of whether this is offered by child or adult services.

Colleagues in learning and development roles are in a unique position to support best practice in holistic support. They can develop the knowledge and skills required in practitioners across all organisations and services, promoting multi-agency, multi-service shared learning.

Maintaining integrity of resources, quality assurance and measuring impact

Iriss is currently undertaking an exercise to map public protection learning and development. We hope to include any relevant lessons learned from this work, in future iterations of this National ASP Learning and Development Framework.

Inevitably there will be changes in legislation, research, policy or practice guidance. This means development colleagues are tasked with ensuring the integrity of their learning resources are aligned with any changes that arise. Working collaboratively through the National ASP Learning and Development Network is one method for supporting each other with what might sometimes feel like a major task. This also models a shared learning, collaborative approach to good multi-agency protection and practice, as well as an opportunity to share resources and skills through collaborating on the design and creation of resources. It also supports the development of learning and development practitioners themselves.

We will have 3 geographically diverse areas acting as early adopters and feedback sites in relation to the implementation of this Framework - they will provide formal feedback at agreed, regular intervals. However, we will welcome feedback from any area on any aspect of the Framework at any time during implementation - see ASPire hub link below.

To aid with any early amendments required, an Annual Review has been planned. This will commence one year after initial publication. This review will consider any experiences shared over the course of the first year of implementation of the Framework. Any gaps identified in relation to relevant publications or ASP L&D resources will be considered by the National ASP L&D Network.

There is an ongoing commitment to gather and incrementally add relevant learning and development resources to the Iriss ASPire Hub, in order to continually improve access and support learning in relation to Adult Support and Protection. The National Adult Support and Protection Learning and Development Network remains dedicated to exploring methods for identifying indicators that would enable the measurement of the impact of training delivered. Additionally, they will consider including, in the next iteration of the National ASP Learning and Development Framework, an evaluative template to assess the implementation and effectiveness of this Framework.

The National ASP Learning and Development Network will take the lead in relation to ensuring that the Framework is reviewed and updated on an annual basis. We would therefore encourage any comments following publication - should you notice any broken links, documents mentioned which have subsequently been updated, newly developed helpful resources, or any other feedback, please contact asp@gov.scot.