When social work is investigating concerns of financial abuse, under Section 10 of the Act, the Council can request any
person holding ‘health, financial or other records relating to an
individual whom the council officer (social worker) knows or believes to be an adult at risk to
give access to the records or copies of them to the officer of the council.’ These
requests will normally be made in writing.
Both the Office of Public Guardian and the Council have a duty to protect adults at risk of financial harm. When financial harm is suspected for example, when someone is
misusing their Power of Attorney or Guardianship Order the Council will work in partnership with the Office of Public Guardian to investigate the concerns.
