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Adult Support and Protection

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In Scotland, the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 exists to protect adults from harm.

This harm may include physical, financial, sexual or psychological abuse; neglect or discrimination. 

In the Highland area, the related social work duties and actions are undertaken by NHS Highland's adult social care service.

Highland Adult Protection Committee Logo

Important: If someone is in danger

If someone is in imminent danger, call the emergency services:

  • phone 999      

Know who to turn to

Important: If you need to talk to someone

If you need to talk with someone about feeling down, or feelings of anxiety or stress - the following services may be helpful:

Important: To report an adult concern

Use the Single Point Of Access (SPOA) contacts below, in each district covered by the Highland Adult Protection Committee.

Reports about under-25-year-olds

For under-25-year-olds in the districts of Mid Ross, East Ross, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, contact the Transitions Team:

Professionals

Professionals who work in partner agencies, in health or social care settings should use this different method to report adult concerns.

SPOA contacts and availability

Emergencies outside of office hours 

For social work emergencies between 5pm and 9am only please contact the Emergency Social Work Service:

They provide a limited service for urgent issues only (not for routine enquiries) - overnight, at weekends or on public holidays.

Enquiries during office hours

SPOA teams in each district are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (except Sutherland, where the team is available between 8am and 4pm). See the geographical boundary of each district in the map below.

Badenoch and Strathspey

Caithness

East Ross

Inverness

Lochaber

Mid Ross

Nairn

Skye, Lochalsh and Wester Ross

Sutherland

Available Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm.

Preventing and acting against harm

  • If you are unable to protect yourself from being harmed, it is important to tell someone.  
  • If you think you know someone who is being harmed, or at risk of being harmed, you must tell someone. Please remember that the person being harmed may not be able to report it themselves.

An Adult at Risk is defined by the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 as someone who:

  1. is an adult aged 16 or over who is unable to protect themselves from someone harming them, or from exploitation and neglect, or to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or other interests
  2. and is at risk of harm
  3. and because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, is more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected.

All three of the above criteria must be met.

Local and national policies and procedures exist which apply whenever abuse is suspected, or has occurred, and where specific action is required by statutory agencies to ensure the protection of the person.

Important: Near Me

Near Me social work services

  • Support for individuals

    Our services are here to promote the health and well-being of individuals in Highland, and, where necessary, provide ...

  • Self-directed support

    Self-directed support is about assisting individuals who may need support to have maximum choice and control over how...

  • Unpaid carers

    NHS Highland recognise the essential role that unpaid carers play and wants to provide support to unpaid carers to li...

  • Appropriate Adult Service

    Support for Vulnerable Adults Involved in the Criminal Justice System in the Highland area

  • Adult Support and Protection

    In Scotland, the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 exists to protect adults from harm.

Last updated: 20 June 2025

Next review date: 7 July 2025