Young people

The definition of an adult at risk includes people aged 16 years and over with disabilities, mental disorders, illness, or physical or mental infirmity and who are at risk of harm from themselves or others.

Adult Protection practitioners should pay particular attention to the needs and risks experienced by young people in transition from youth to adulthood, who are more vulnerable to harm than others.

As other legislation and provisions exist which include persons up to 18 years (and sometimes up to age 26 years or even beyond), support under these other provisions may be more appropriate for some young persons. The responsibilities of the council and other agencies for persons aged 16 -18 years will extend beyond adult protection legislation. Situations may arise, particularly for 16 and 17 year old people, where there are legitimate interests and engagement from services for both children and adults.

Where a young person under 18 is at risk of harm, National guidance for child protection in Scotland 2021 is relevant for reference, alongside local procedures for sharing information across children’s and adult services.

Children also have rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Additional information as relates to children's rights and the UNCRC in Scotland can be found in the UNCRC advice and guidance information pages.

Young people may already be receiving services from a range of children’s services, or as looked after children. This is not to say that they will or will not become adults at risk in terms of the Act simply because they have reached a particular age. Each case will need to be considered individually.