Escalating Concerns at Strategic Level involves the multiagency group who developed the protocol continuing to meet to support its implementation and continuous improvement towards our early and effective interventions.  By learning more about the common characteristics of the cases being managed through the protocol and the difficulties faced by the adult and intervening professionals we can report these themes into public protection committees and develop actions and improvement plans to assist all. 

Escalating Concerns at Operational Level involves good front line risk management, professional curiosity, application of escalation thresholds and trauma informed practice.  It also involves commitment to get together to discuss and support a problem solving partnership approach even in cases where we can’t agree the same pathway.  Operational practitioners should use an escalating concerns case conference to explore innovative solutions at locality level.  Good dialogue between multiagency partners is essential.  

We have established escalation thresholds in Adult Care.  These are where an individual comes to the attention of any agency on three occasions over a 90-day period then this First Escalation Threshold is met and six occasions over a 90-day period the Second Escalation Threshold is met.  This is commonly referred to as the ‘Harm Reduction Protocol’.  The Escalating Concerns Protocol does not aim to replace it but enhance and develop it.  

This protocol is designed for all adults within the Falkirk area who are identified as at risk of harm through their contact with partner agencies.  It has been informed by independent consultation with service user groups who have experience of repeat referral or where it has taken them a bit of time to be supported with or find the right intervention.

Where to find the protocol and linked Professional curiosity, Referral and Duty to Inquire training?  
Training is being delivered monthly to all agencies through the ASP training calendar which you will find here  The protocol will be introduced in this training.  You can find a copy of the protocol here and it includes templates and tools to assist you with arranging the case conference

To help us to this each time you use the protocol and convene an escalating concerns meeting should send a notification  to AdultEscalatingConcerns@falkirk.gov.uk including the meeting documentation.  The escalating concerns group will review, support and provide quality assurance to the protocol going forward.

Falkirk Escalating Concerns Protocol  

Multiagency partners have been convening as an escalating concerns working group over the last year to develop an escalating concerns protocol whereby partner agencies come together to convene an escalating concerns case conference where an adult is at risk of ongoing harm however statutory pathways are not applicable or agreed.  
The protocol has been developed in response to multiagency commitment to supporting all adults in need in Falkirk in an inclusive and trauma informed way.