Vulnerable adults in Scotland do not get the same protection as children against harm and exploitation, Scotland’s care watchdog has said.

Ten years after the Adult Support and Protection Act came into force, the safety of people at risk due to mental health problems, or disabilities is still not being ensured in many areas. A review by the Care Inspectorate warns “The overwhelming evidence from our joint inspection of adult support and protection was that adult protection does somewhat lag behind child protection.”

The report examines the experience of vulnerable people in six local authority areas and the work of agencies such as social work, health and police to protect them.

While arguing progress has been made and many adults at risk of harm are safe and protected, the Inspectorate found failings in most of the council areas it visited.

IT problems and a lack of communication are hampering efforts in many areas. The report says workers describe a “forlorn hope” that health and social care integration would make it easier to share information about adults at risk of harm. In some areas vulnerable people are suffering significant financial losses due to exploitation.

In North Ayrshire more than 40 people over two years suffered financial harm, with more than a dozen losing more than £10,000 and some losing over £50,000.

In Highland, which has pioneered health and social care integration a third of investigations of possible harm were rated adequate or worse.

In Dundee deficiencies in adult protection key processes “had the clear potential to have an adverse impact on the outcomes for adults at risk of harm” while IT support was “beset with a number of significant problems” and an assessment had not been carried out on 43 per cent of adults known to be risk. Even in Midlothian, which is praised, the actions of workers were rated effective in only 20 per cent of cases.

Karen Reid, chief executive of the Care Inspectorate said: “Much scrutiny up to now has focused on efforts to protect children at risk of harm ... but it is vital that we also understand how well partnerships protect adults who are at risk.”

Independent convenor of the Dundee ‘s Adult Support and Protection Committee Elaine Torrance said: “ it is important that we can respond to the independent constructive feedback that is contained in the report.”