When should a council make an inquiry without investigative powers?

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Inquiries where investigatory powers are not used
When should a council make an inquiry without investigative powers?

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Section 4 of the Act places a duty on councils to make inquiries without investigatory powers about a person's well-being, property or financial affairs if it knows or believes:

that the person is an adult at risk; and
that it might need to intervene (under the Act or otherwise) in order to protect the person's well-being, property or financial affairs.

Inquiries without investigatory powers under Section 4 of the Act will be carried out by the council's social work services and should follow adult protection procedures.

The council may consult and/or work in partnership with other agencies to conduct inquiries without investigatory powers.

Other professionals, such as the police, the Care Inspectorate or health professionals may be asked to assist.