Glossary of terms

The terms in this section are written to apply across different sectors, using language that's as general as possible. Even so, some terms may not be familiar to everyone, so here's a glossary to help.

Adult Services Duty Worker

A professional within Orkney Health and Care who provides a 24-hour duty service, reached through the Council Offices during the day or the Balfour Hospital switchboard out of hours. This may be a social worker or occupational therapist.

Capacity

The ability to make, communicate, and remember an informed choice.

Care Inspectorate

An independent public body, separate from the Scottish Government but accountable to Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. It regulates care services that were previously overseen by NHS Boards and local authorities. All care services must register with the Care Inspectorate and are subject to regular inspection. It works to improve service quality, makes information available to the public, and investigates complaints about any care service.

Case Manager

The professional with lead responsibility for someone's community care assessment and care plan; this may be a social worker, occupational therapist, or community nurse.

Core Group

The professional with lead responsibility for someone's community care assessment and care plan; this may be a social worker, occupational therapist, or community nurse.

Council Officer

A qualified, registered social worker, occupational therapist, or nurse employed by the local authority, with at least 12 months' experience in adult assessment and protection. Council Officers hold specific delegated powers under the Act and are appointed by the local authority.

Independent Advocate

A member of an advocacy service that operates independently of other service providers. Advocacy involves safeguarding people in vulnerable situations who aren't being heard, often by speaking up for them and helping them express their views and make decisions. You can be referred to an advocacy service through the local authority, NHS Board, or Local Health Council.

Information Sharing Protocol

An agreement between the Council and NHS Orkney that allows them to safely share information on a need to know basis, while protecting a service user's right to see their own records.

Line Manager / Supervisor

The person with managerial responsibility for an individual worker.

Mental Health Officer

A local authority social worker who has completed specific accredited training in mental health. They hold certain delegated powers under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, to act in cases involving someone who lacks capacity or has a mental disorder.

Mental Welfare Commission

A national body, originally appointed by the Scottish Executive, that oversees and protects the rights of people with a mental disorder. It has a duty to investigate complaints about the welfare of anyone with a mental disorder, including dementia, learning disability, or acquired brain injury.

Place of Safety

A formal or informal arrangement allowing an adult to be accommodated safely, away from the risk of further harm, such as in a hospital, care home, or with another family member.

Social Care

A range of statutory and voluntary settings, including care homes, care at home services, and hospitals, where vulnerable people are looked after or supported with essential daily tasks.

Social Work Manager

A qualified, registered social worker in a management role. In most adult support and protection cases, this is the Principal Social Worker for Adult Services or the Senior Social Work Practitioner, Adult Services. If neither is available, another appropriate manager will be identified to lead the investigation.

Social Worker

A qualified, registered social worker.

Staff Member

For these guidelines, anyone employed in a social care setting, or volunteering for a social care agency.

Whistle Blowing

A way for staff to safely raise concerns within their organisation about suspected or actual malpractice, allowing them to bypass normal line management if necessary, under the Protocol for Dealing with Advocacy Referrals under the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.