Last week was an extremely busy week in the ASP calendar. On Tuesday 20th February it was National ASP Awareness Day 2024. This provides an annual opportunity to work across the ASP Community to raise awareness about Adult Support and Protection and to let people know that it is important to take action if you are concerned that an adult is being harmed, or is at risk of harm and signpost the public to relevant contacts. It is important whether you are worried about someone you work with or someone you know in your personal life, not to assume that someone else will take action and report their concerns. Sometimes people assume that the small piece of information they have is not that important – but your piece of information could be the piece of the jigsaw that alerts the professionals responsible for ASP that they should now be considering the adults circumstances under the auspices of Adult Support and Protection legislation. Sometimes adults, for various reasons, are unable to seek support and protection for themselves – if you see something, say something – everyone deserves to live a life free from harm.
This year, I felt that National ASP Awareness Day was even better supported than in previous years – thanks to the efforts of the National ASP Comms Group, ASP Lead Officers, Council Comms Teams and Partner Organisations (particularly Police Scotland, Scottish Government, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Safe and Together, Violence Against Women and Suicide Prevention networks) – all of whom made a real effort before and on the day to share information about ASP across various platforms – facebook, Twitter (X), Linked In, websites and via Newsletters etc. Hopefully you noticed some information about ASP around 20th February – in your area. The dual focus for this year was on general public awareness of ASP and a spotlight on Sextortion Scams. Two videos were developed to support the communications around these two areas – these can be found on this website and also on the Iriss website: https://www.iriss.org.uk/news/news/2024/02/07/national-adult-support-and-protection-awareness-day-2024
Also last week (I told you it was a busy week) – colleagues from across the ASP Community and Partner Agencies got together in person for the first face to face ASPire (Adult Support and Protection innovation and reflection event) on Thursday 22nd February in Stirling. This event was the first time the ASP Community had gotten together to discuss all things ASP – for a very long time, since way before Covid hit. That probably impacted on how many people were keen to attend, as we were pretty quickly fully booked and also had a sizeable waiting list. There was a real ‘buzz’ in the room on the day and delegates had the opportunity to hear key presentations on Sextortion, Undue Pressure under ASP and an input in relation to the last Report concerning ASP Learning Reviews submitted to the Care Inspectorate last year. In the afternoon, there were two workshop sessions and a total of seven Workshops to choose from across the two sessions – all relating to current issues relevant to those with an involvement in ASP. Comments on the day were really positive, however we will also be following up with a more formal evaluation, so that the National ASP Learning & Development Network who hosted the ASPire, will be able to learn about how we might make future events even better.