Recommendations - Gwent Police, February 2021

Gwent Police · Ref: 2019/129571

Recommendation date: 4 February 2021

Response due: 1 April 2021

Published: 3 March 2021

Welfare and vulnerable people

An individual was reported to Gwent Police by social services after he failed to turn up to an appointment which was unusual for him. The Sergeant in the control room determined that based on the information provided by the social worker that the individual didn't meet the set list of criteria which would necessitate police involvement, therefore no police were deployed to his home. The following day the social worker attended a police station again reporting her concerns for the male. The Sergeant on this occasion asked what enquiries social services had made themselves in order to establish if the individual was safe and well. It was agreed that social services would make some enquiries and re-contact Gwent Police if they needed further assistance. The male was subsequently found deceased in his home after the check by the social worker.

View on IOPC website

Recommendations (2)

Recommendation 1 Awaiting Response

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that Gwent Police creates a detailed question set for call handlers responding to requests from external agencies to conduct welfare checks. The prompts should help call handlers to elecit key information during a conversation to help inform … Read moreThe IOPC recommends that Gwent Police creates a detailed question set for call handlers responding to requests from external agencies to conduct welfare checks. The prompts should help call handlers to elecit key information during a conversation to help inform decision makers whether the police will respond to a request for a welfare check, in line with force policy. Gwent Police were requested by a social worker to conduct a welfare check on an individual who had not turned up for an appointment with social services which was unlike him. A THRIVE risk assessment was completed and the Sergeant determined that the answers provided in response to that were not sufficient to warrant a welfare check in line with force policy. The next day the same social worker attended the police station to again request a welfare check. The Sergeant on this occasion asked the social worker to conduct some of their own enquiries and if she still had concerns, she was to re-contact police. The social worker attended the home address of the individual and he was found to be deceased. Gwent Police policy is explicit in when it will deploy oficers to complete a welfare check on behalf of an external agency. That said, it it reasonable to recommend that call handlers are provided with guidance on what specific questions they need to ask in order that the responses can be judged against the requirements laid out in the policy to help inform the decision maker reach the correct conclusion. Do you accept the recommendation? Yes Gwent Police acknowledge and accept the recommendations as below: •　 The IOPC recommends that Gwent Police creates a set of prompts to assist call handlers responding to requests from external agencies to conduct welfare checks.　 The prompts should help call handlers to elicit key information during a conversation to help inform decision makers whether the police will respond to a request for a welfare check, in line with force policy. •　 The IOPC recommends that Gwent Police engages with external agencies, who regularly request the police to conduct welfare checks on their behalf and establishes a Memorandum of Understanding.　 This is to ensure that both the agencies and Gwent Police are clear on their responsibilities and under what circumstances a response from the police would be necessary. The learning has been disseminated via the Missing Person Lead within the Force Control Room. Show less

Recommendation 2 Awaiting Response

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that Gwent Police engages with external agencies, who regularly request the police to conduct welfare checks on their behalf, and establishes a Memorandum of Understanding. This is to ensure that both the agencies and Gwent Police are … Read moreThe IOPC recommends that Gwent Police engages with external agencies, who regularly request the police to conduct welfare checks on their behalf, and establishes a Memorandum of Understanding. This is to ensure that both the agencies and Gwent Police are clear on their responsibilities and under what circumstances a response from the police would be necessary. Gwent Police were requested by a social worker to conduct a welfare check on an individual who had not turned up for an appointment with social services which was unlike him. A THRIVE risk assessment was completed and the Sergeant determined that the answers provided in response to that were not sufficient to warrant a welfare check in line with force policy. The next day the same social worker attended the police station to again request a welfare check. The Sergeant on this occasion asked the social worker to conduct some of their own enquiries and if she still had concerns, she was to re-contact police. The social worker attended the home address of the individual and he was found to be deceased. Gwent Police policy is explicit in when it will deploy oficers to complete a welfare check on behalf of an external agency. The Memorandum of Understanding will offer both organisations the opportunity to contribute to the agreed working practices between them and ensure that all parties are aware of the occasions when Gwent Police will be able to assist. It will also ensure that the individuals requesting assistance are clear on what information they should share with Gwent Police to ensure the appropriate decision is made whether to deploy officers to assist or not. Do you accept the recommendation? Yes Gwent Police acknowledge and accept the recommendations as below: •　 The IOPC recommends that Gwent Police creates a set of prompts to assist call handlers responding to requests from external agencies to conduct welfare checks.　 The prompts should help call handlers to elicit key information during a conversation to help inform decision makers whether the police will respond to a request for a welfare check, in line with force policy. •　 The IOPC recommends that Gwent Police engages with external agencies, who regularly request the police to conduct welfare checks on their behalf and establishes a Memorandum of Understanding.　 This is to ensure that both the agencies and Gwent Police are clear on their responsibilities and under what circumstances a response from the police would be necessary. The learning has been disseminated via the Missing Person Lead within the Force Control Room. Show less