The planning meeting should be completed within five working days from receipt of referral.

A planning meeting is an opportunity for professionals across the multi-agency field to share information and agree on how best to support and protect the adult at risk. A planning meeting can occur at any time in the adult protection process.

The planning meeting forms part of the investigatory process and should be formally chaired by a Team Leader. This meeting is an opportunity for multi-agency partners to share information, decide if the adult meets the three point criteria, decide if an investigation is required and agree how this should be undertaken.

If agencies are unable to attend the meeting, they must provide a report of their involvement with the adult prior to the meeting taking place.

Planning meetings are for professionals involved with the adult and should not include the adult at risk of harm or family members.

The AP1 should be made available to those attending/involved in the planning meeting.

The purpose of the planning meeting is to:

  • bring multi-agency partners together, or if this is not possible, to gather information and discuss concerns relating to the adult at risk of harm using other methods, such as phone and email;
  • decide whether an ASP investigation is required;
  • decide if medical intervention is required;
  • consider if an investigation under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 or Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 should take place or if some other more appropriate course of action should be taken. If an ASP Investigation is agreed as not being required, there must be a detailed record of why an ASP Investigation is not being undertaken and alternative support(s)/guidance provided to the adult concerned, where appropriate;
  • decide how the investigation is to be undertaken and assign roles/responsibilities and timescales for action;
  • decide if an interim protection plan is required;
  • set a date for a case conference if this has not already been done;
  • where there is evidence of a criminal offence the police must be informed and invited to the planning meeting to clarify roles and responsibilities and decide who should lead the formal investigation.

If the situation is urgent then there should be no delay in agreeing the process of investigation. This should be done via the Police Adult Protection Referral HUB.

 

Planning meetings can be held at any time during the inquiry or investigation process, to clarify information and inform decisions. However, it must not replace the need for a Case Conference.