Social work and policy language can be confusing, especially when they use acronyms! This acronym guide gives the most common acronyms used and their definitions, as well as some further resources.

Acronym	Meaning
ADHD	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AO	Adoption Order
ARC	Asylum Registration Card
ASD	Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASL	Additional Support for Learning
ASN	Additional Support Needs
ASP	Adult Support and Protection
AWI	Adults with Incapacity
BAME	Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic
BRP	Biometric Residence Permit
C&F	Children and Families
CA	Carer’s Allowance
CAMHS	Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
CDP	Child Disability Payment
CEC	City of Edinburgh Council
CMHT	Community Mental Health Team
CMS	Child Maintenance Service
COPFS	Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
CP	Child Protection
CPO	Child Protection Order
CPCC	Child Protection Case Conference
CPH	Children’s Panel Hearing
CPM	Child Planning Meeting
CPR	Child Protection Register
CSE	Child Sexual Exploitation
CSO	Compulsory Supervision Order
D&I	Diversity and Integration
DAS	Domestic Abuse Service
DEI	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
DV	Domestic Violence
DWP	Department of Work and Pensions
ESA	Employment Support Allowance
ESOL	English for Speakers of Other Languages
EUSS	European Union Settlement Scheme
EYS	Early Years Scotland
FGM	Female Genital Mutilation
FMU	Forced Marriage Unit
FNP	Family Nurse Practitioner
FPM	Family Planning Meeting
FTE	Full-Time Education
GBV	Gender-Based Violence
GIRFEC	Getting It Right For Every Child
GP	General Practitioner (Doctor)
HBV	Honour-Based Abuse
HM	Hers/His Majesty’s
HO	Home Office
HR	Human Rights
HSCP	Health and Social Care Partnership
HSMP	Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
HV	Health Visitor
ICPCC	Initial Child Protection Case Conference
ILR	Indefinite Leave to Remain
IO	Immigration Officer
IRD	Initial Referral Discussion
LA	Local Authority
LAAC	Looked After Adolescents and Children
LD	Learning Difficulty
LGBTQI+	Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer +
MAPPA	Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement
MARAC	Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference
MCFB	Multi-Cultural Family Base
MDS	Modern Day Slavery
MH	Mental Health
MHAS	Mental Health Assessment
MHO	Mental Health Officer
NASS	National Asylum Support Service
NGO	Non-Government Organisation
NHS	National Health Service
NI	National Insurance
NRM	National Referral Mechanism
NRPF	No Recourse to Public Funds
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children	NSPCC
OOH	Out of Hours
PBS	Points-Based System
PO	Permanent Order
PPG	Permanence Planning Group
PRR	Parental Rights and Responsibilities
PSA	Pupil Support Assistant
PTSD	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PVG	Protecting Vulnerable Groups
QOL	Quality of Life
RA	Risk Assessment
SAWS	Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme
SCRA	Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration
SHANARRI	Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nourished, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included
SSSC	Scottish Social Security Council
SW	Social Work(er)
TIP	Trauma-Informed Practice
UASC	Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children
UC	Universal Credit
UDHR	Universal Declaration of Human Rights
UKVCAS	UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services
UKVI	United Kingdom Visas and Immigration
UNCRC	United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child
URM	Under-Represented Minority
VAWG	Violence Against Women and Girls
VYP	Vulnerable Young Person
WFH	Work From Home
WRS	Worker Registration Scheme
YP	Young Person