Using an Easy Read format makes information easier for everyone to understand. ‘Easy read’ means writing things down clearly using simple language, short sentences and using pictures or symbols.
An easy read version of the Adult Support and Protection Act is available.
Have a look at the Adult Protection - YouTube playlist.
Also, see the links below for a range of information:
Fife Adult Support and Protection Committee (ASPC) has worked with service user groups to create information to support an adult at risk to participate fully in any adult protection process.
This was based on their experience and questions they had about the process.
We hope that the answers to their questions will help others to know and understand what adult protection is.
Over a set of four leaflets a different part of the process is explained. The set is called “What is Adult Support and Protection?”
Leaflet One covers: Social Work said I’m an adult at risk - what does that mean? (Easy Read). Plain Text Version - Leaflet One.
Leaflet Two covers: Social Work said I’m an adult at risk – what happens next? (Easy Read). Plain Text Version - Leaflet Two.
Leaflet Three covers: Social Work are coming to visit me – what are my rights? (Easy Read). Plain Text Version - Leaflet Three.
Leaflet Four covers: I’ve been invited to an Adult Case Conference – what’s that? (Easy Read). Plain Text Version - Leaflet Four.
The information has been developed in plain English and easy-read formats. They can be used as a set or individually.
One of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 principles is that the adult should be given information and support to help them participate as fully as possible in the adult protection process.
Advocacy is one way the adult at risk can be:
- at the centre of discussions
- be fully included
- helped to understand what is happening, and
- have his or her voice heard.
How can an advocate support me at Adult Protection meetings? is a booklet developed with Circles Advocacy and the Adult Support and Protection Committee. It explains how advocacy will support you to speak up about things that are important to you.
Further information on advocacy and advocacy services is available at: www.fifeadvocacyforum.org.uk/ and in the Easy Read Advocacy in Fife booklet.
Our booklet 'Being a member of the ASPC' gives information about what people do when they are members of the Adult Support and Protection Committee.
There is also an easy read booklet explaining information sharing.
‘Making decisions – what does ‘capacity’ mean?‘ Sometimes it is difficult to make decisions and you might need support to do this. This booklet is about capacity and choice and who can help you make decisions. It includes information on Power of Attorney and Guardianship.
‘Making decisions – what is ‘sexual consent?’ gives details about sexual consent. Sexual consent means you and your partner both agree to do sexual things.
‘Making decisions - what is ‘information consent’ and what is ‘medical consent?’ explains what both of these types of consent are. Asking for your ‘consent’ means asking if you agree to something.
The Adult Support and Protection Committee has a booklet called: Disability Hate Crime. It has been adapted from information by Inclusion Scotland and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
Their info includes a booklet Stopping the Harassment of Disabled People which is an Easy Read version.
The Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability has created a 'Disability Hate Crime: What to Do Guide' for people with a learning disability and Tackling Disability Hate Crime: Resources - SCLD.
The ARC booklet 'Safety Net - Friend or Fake?' provides easy-read guidance about 'Mate Crime'. The Action Against Cruelty website is an English site, so Scottish law will be different, but the site provides excellent easy-to-read information explaining what disability hate crime is, and provides further useful links.
Fife Adult Support and Protection Committee in partnership with Fife Violence Against Women Partnership have developed an easy read Domestic Abuse booklet. It is designed to be read at your own pace, with someone who supports you.
It tells you what domestic abuse is; what are the different types of abuse; who you can tell and what to do.
You can also find information on the Domestic Abuse page of the Violence Against Women Partnership.
Easy Read Information on Forced Marriage is available in Community Languages Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, English, Indian Punjabi, Pakistani Punjabi, Polish and Urdu.
Seen Something? Say Something easy read booklet explains the different types of harm, and how to get help and support.
The Adult Support & Protection Committee has worked in partnership with Stop It Now! Scotland to produce two new easy read resources.
‘What am I looking at online?’ gives advice to adults at risk of internet offending as a consequence of accessing and distributing child abuse imagery, when their understanding of the implications of their actions is limited or absent due to a learning disability or problem with cognition.
‘I’ve made a new friend online but I’m worried. What do I do?’ gives advice about grooming, sexting, sharing images and information, and how to get support and help if this is happening to you.
Fife Child Protection information is available here. If you consider a child(ren) or young person to be in IMMEDIATE danger, DO NOT wait, call the Police on 999. If it is not an emergency call the Police on 101 or call Social Work on 03451 551503 or e-mail: sw.contactctr@fife.gov.uk. If you need advice in the evening or at weekends, contact a social worker on the Out of Hours number 03451 550099
Stop it Now! Scotland is a child sexual abuse prevention campaign. Their Helpline is available for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse. Callers do not need to give identifying information. Call 0131 556 3535 (available from 9am-9pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-5pm Fridays) or email: scotland@stopitnow.org.uk Outwith these hours you can call the National UK Helpline on: 0808 1000 900.
‘Stop it Now resources include: weblink to the ‘Upstream website’ https://www.theupstreamproject.org.uk/ a resource for anyone who wants to know more about the prevention of child sexual abuse and how they can contribute and help.
Online help is available https://get-help.stopitnow.org.uk/ where individuals and family members can anonymously and confidentially access online modules to help stop problematic online behaviour.
INTERNET SAFETY: GENERAL INFORMATION
If you're not confident about using the internet, the SafetyNet booklets ‘Scams and Shopping' and ‘Security and Sharing' give you information about staying safe online.
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities Easy-Read guide 'Staying safe on social media, and online' provides tips on writing a safe profile, using Skype and webcams safely, and advice on emails, Facebook and Twitter.
The CHANGE easy read guide 'Keeping Safe Online' looks at different types of online abuse you can experience and what to do if you feel unsafe.
'Who can help me to stay safe?' gives information on Adult Support and Protection, Fife Cares visits, the 'Safe, Secure & Supported at Home' service, community alarms and telecare, Fife Falls response service, and fire safety visit. The Adult Support & Protection Committee has co-produced the booklet with Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Safer Communities, and Health & Social Care Partnership Home Care.
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities Easy-Read Guide Staying Safe Out and About gives advice on keeping safe at home, at work, when out and about, and keeping safe from Mate Crime.
The Scottish Ambulance Service booklet 'How to send a text in an emergency' gives advice on how to register for the emergency sms service.
The Adult Support and Protection Committee Financial Harm Working Group have launched their campaign ‘A Year of Financial Harm Awareness Raising’. Each month, for the course of a year, the Working Group will offer a ‘How to’ information leaflet in relation to identifying, reporting and preventing a different type of financial harm. There are monthly easy reads to accompany this campaign. They contain important facts and helpful tips to keep safe.
The campaign started with ‘The latest Scams and how to avoid them’ and Easy Read version 'How to avoid the latest scams'. Please find information in the document 'Friends Against Scams'.
Next in the series: Easy read ‘Why securing your data is important’ which is key to keeping safe.
‘Rogue Traders’ warns us of how they are trick people out of their money and how to prevent falling for their scams.
‘Romance scams’ explains why this type of fraud is rising and how to prevent becoming a victim.
For more information, please also see 'Friends Against Scams'. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams. Please share this information with practitioners and members of our community alike. Our thanks to colleagues in Trading Standards for their support in the creation of this guide.
The booklets ‘Keeping Your Money Safe’ and ‘Financial Harm – Scams' give advice on financial harm, mate crime, scams, bogus callers, power of attorney and cash machines.
The United Response website has a series of six easy read booklets on Making Money Easier which provide basic explanations for all things finance and money related. It includes advice about choosing and using a bank account, a glossary on common banking terms, tips on budgeting and a guide to help people live independently.
Every year in Scotland people move to a care home because they need support to look after themselves. Fife Adult Support and Protection Committee and Solicitors for Older People Scotland have made the booklet 'I'm moving to a care home. How do I look after my money?' to help you think about some of the financial decisions.
The booklet Mate Crime and Cuckooing deals with issues around ‘fake friends’ – being befriended by someone who wants to take advantage of you. Cuckooing is the term for a fake friend taking over your house for criminal purposes.
Look after your mental health in later life is a booklet from The Mental Health Foundation for people in their 60s who are approaching retirement or who have recently retired from work. It gives practical ways to protect your mental health.
Fife Adult Support and Protection Committee in partnership with Fife Violence Against Women Partnership have developed an Easy Read Sexual Abuse resource. It is designed to be read at your own pace, with someone who supports you.
