Elected Member Briefing Note 2026, No. 25
About this Briefing Note
Report by: Iain Wilkie, Adult Support and Protection Coordinator, Health and Social Care Partnership
Date: 16 February 2026
Subject: Perth and Kinross response to the annual National Adult Support and Protection awareness raising campaign
Details
Purpose
20th February each year marks the start of an annual Scottish Government campaign to raise awareness about adult support and adult protection. This briefing gives Elected Members an overview of the programme of events, and how this national campaign will be shared in Perth and Kinross.
Briefing Information
The Perth and Kinross Adult Support and Protection (ASP) Annual Report 2024/25 was shared at the Council meeting on Wednesday 14 January 2026. The report presents an overview of the of multi-agency arrangements to protect adults at risk of harm.
In the course of the meeting, it was suggested that Councillors might benefit from attending the Adult Protection Committee or taking part in a development session to understand the ethical tensions that can exist in Adult Protection work in supporting and enabling an adult to exercise their right to choice, whilst balancing our duty of care by safeguarding them.
National ASP Campaign 2026
This year's Scottish Government ASP campaign focusses on raising awareness in the importance of recognising when an adult might be at risk of harm and how to report this.
National ASP Day is also focussing on the need for staff and volunteers to recognise and report when an adult might be at risk of harm who is receiving support in a supported setting, such as those receiving care at home and those who are resident in a care home
People can be at increased risk of harm financially through factors such as ill health, trauma and physical or mental health conditions.
It can happen anywhere - in someone's home, where they work, or in a public place - and is often caused by the people closest to them. It can even happen in places responsible for keeping someone safe, such as a care home, hospital or day centre.
Our own programme of events will reflect this.
Local ASP events for 2026
The following sets out the Perth and Kinross programme of events supporting this national campaign:
All care at home and care home providers in Perth and Kinross will receive an update on ASP Day, and a reminder about the need for all staff and volunteers to be skilled and confident in recognising and reporting concerns about an adult who might be at risk of harm - with the opportunity of attending further ASP training dedicated to the supporting sector, if required.
On 20 February 2026, the lights on Smeaton's Bridge will be blue and white to reflect the Adult Protection Committee (APC) logo colours. Social media will be used to highlight this and use this to share the message about protecting adults with links to how to report concerns.
A press statement has been prepared with comments from Graham Binnie, Independent Chair of the APC and from Jane Menzies, Head of Integrated Health and Care, Health & Social Care Partnership.
Between 16 February and 22 February 2026, several adult protection and adult safeguarding messages will be shared on Perth and Kinross Council social media platforms as well as featuring on the advertising boards in bus shelters across Perth and Kinross. The Seen something? Say something: help keep people safe from neglect video will also be used throughout the week to raise awareness of the need to report concerns, who to report these to, and to direct viewers to the dedicated Council Adult Support and Protection resources online, which provide more information on safeguarding the welfare and interest of those who might not be able to do so themselves.
Our social media will also share a video about financial harm, which is available in both a long version and a short version.
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