The Police

Contents

1.	Requirement for Police Involvement
	1.1	Absent/Missing Children
	1.2	Violence by a Child or Young Person on Another
	1.3	Violence to Staff by a Child or Young Person
	1.4	Criminal Damage within the Home
	1.5	Theft within the Home or Placement
	1.6	Criminal Damage to Staff Cars or Property
	1.7	Disorder in or Around the Home or Placement
	1.8	Trespass within and Around Home or Placement
	1.9	Substance Misuse
	1.10	Hate Crime (Racist, Religion, Homophobic, Gender, Disability)
2.	Notifications and Categories of Response
	2.1	Serious Incidents
	2.2	Not Serious Incidents
	2.3	Liaison
	2.4	Internal Incidents
3.	Recording

1. Requirement for Police Involvement

A decision to contact the Police should normally be taken by the senior member of staff or a Line Manager, unless a serious incident has occurred, in which case the most senior member of staff on duty may contact the police immediately then inform a manager. See Section 2, Categories of Response.

The following situations are the most common ones in children's homes where police involvement might be requested:

1.1 Absent/Missing Children/Young Person

If a child/young person becomes Absent or Missing whilst on an activity it will be necessary to follow the procedures as set out in Missing Children Procedure.

1.2 Violence by a Child or Young Person on Another

This section should be read in conjunction with Dealing with Aggression and Violence Procedure.

These are incidents between residents within the home which range from minor disagreements through to serious assaults where physical injury is caused. Such incidents can be complicated by having two vulnerable parties. Staff will need to ensure that health and safety reporting procedures are followed. 

Attendant factors for this category of offences are listed below and this list does not reflect any order of priority:

• Wishes of the victim;
• Severity of the injury sustained/nature of threat received by the victim;
• Probability of a repeat incident;
• Previous relationship between victim and offender;
• Potential impact on the child/young person following formal police involvement;
• Effectiveness of police action/court proceedings;
• Future best interests of both parties;
• Message sent to other children/young people;
• Availability of alternative causes of action, e.g. restorative approaches with the consent of the victim;
• Previous behaviour or offending, bullying/peer pressure/duress.

1.3 Violence to Staff by a Child or Young Person

This section should be read in conjunction with Dealing with Aggression and Violence Procedure.

Violence towards staff can vary from verbal threats to physical acts amounting to assault. Whilst each home has the responsibility of care towards the children/young people their welfare needs to be balanced with the rights of staff not to be subjected to violence in the course of their duties. 

Such incidents are affected by factors similar to those listed above, and staff should be encouraged to report any incidents that cannot be dealt with through alternative means. Where there is no immediate continuing threat of violence it is in the best interests of the staff member to take time to discuss and consider possible options. 

This can include a referral to the Youth Offending Team/Service, via the relevant social worker, which will give consideration to the necessary intervention. This however, does not remove the individual's right to involve the police. Following such incidents it is important that staff utilise standard de-briefing processes.

Staff should also ensure risk assessments are updated or completed in relation to the risk of violence or injury to themselves or colleagues. A professionals meeting could be a useful method by which to assess these risks and look at ways this risk could be reduced.

1.4 Criminal Damage within the Home

The majority of criminal incidents involving Police relate to damage to the children's home. It is important to see these in the context of the needs of the child/young person and whether involving the police is an effective and proportionate response. Factors to consider are listed and the list does not reflect any order of priority:

• Level/value of damage caused;
• Previous incidents of a similar nature by the same child or young person;
• Suitability or effectiveness of police involvement;
• Impact of police involvement of the child/young person's overall Care Plan;
• Message sent to other children/young people if applicable;
• Availability of alternative courses of action, for example referral to the Youth Offending Service, via the relevant social worker.

1.5 Theft within the Home or Placement

Most offences of theft within the home are likely to be of low value, but the possible start of criminal behaviour, although it should be emphasised that value is a subjective issue relative to the victim. Factors to be considered include (this list does not reflect any order of priority):

• Wishes of the victim;
• Nature and seriousness of the allegation;
• Requirement for formal investigation, e.g. insurance claim requires a crime reference report;
• Availability of alternative courses of action, e.g. restorative approaches.

1.6 Criminal Damage to Staff Cars or Property

Factors for consideration should be similar to those in Section 1.3, Criminal Damage within the Home, and again this list does not reflect any order of priority:

• Nature and seriousness of the allegation;
• Requirement for formal investigation, e.g. insurance claim;
• Wishes and best interest of the victim;
• Availability of alternative courses of action, e.g. restorative approaches.

1.7 Disorder in or Around the Home or Placement

The area of disorder is subjective and requires judgement by staff to avoid unnecessary police involvement for minor infringements of discipline. The main factors that should be considered are:-

• Nature and seriousness of the disorder;
• Risk or threat of violence;
• The wishes of and impact on the immediate community;
• The availability of alternative courses of action.

1.8 Trespass within and Around Home or Placement

All incidents of trespass by persons unknown should be reported to the police as visits/trespass by outside associates of residents can be dealt with effectively under the Harassment Act, which will protect children/young people and staff. 

1.9 Substance Misuse

Please read this section in conjunction with Drugs and Substance Misuse Procedure.

The misuse of controlled drugs within a home is a serious issue and it is essential that the response is prompt and effective. In response to incidents staff will be guided by the Government Drugs Strategy, which has four main aims:

• Reducing Demand -taking action to prevent the onset of drug use, and its escalation at all ages, through universal action combined with more targeted action for the most vulnerable. This includes placing a greater emphasis on building resilience and confidence among young people to prevent the range of risks they face (e.g. drug and alcohol misuse, crime, exploitation, unhealthy relationships);
• Restricting Supply - taking a smarter approach to restricting the supply of drugs: adapting the approach to reflect changes in criminal activity; using innovative data and technology; taking coordinated partnership action to tackle drugs alongside other criminal activity;
• Building Recovery - raising ambition for full recovery by improving both treatment quality and outcomes for different user groups; ensuring the right interventions are given to people according to their needs; and facilitating the delivery of an enhanced joined-up approach to commissioning and the wide range of services that are essential to supporting every individual to live a life free from drugs;
• Global Action - taking a leading role in driving international action, spearheading new initiatives e.g. on new psychoactive substances, sharing best practice and promoting an evidence-based approach to preventing drug harms.

Staff will need to balance these principles with their duty of care for the young people in the home or placement and their role in managing children/young people's behaviour as part of their care responsibilities as well as their responsibilities to the wider community.

1.10 Hate Crime (Racist, Religion, Homophobic, Gender, Disability)

• All possible steps should be taken by the police at local level, in consultation with local government and other agencies to encourage the reporting of racist incidents in crimes;
• It is important that the agency that receives reports of racist incidents is well equipped to deal with them and no one should be given the task without adequate training;
• It should be made clear that all behaviour policies held within Homes should cover the areas as indicated as hate crime and it be made clear how staff and residents should deal with it. Homes and placements should themselves handle low level daily occurrences and their management of this aspect of discipline should be subject to inspection;
• A multi-agency approach to such incidents can ensure that help is provided to victims of these incidents providing them with a range of options for reporting and ensuring that the child/young person is sufficiently supported;
• When dealing with the incidents outlined as Hate Crime in relation to racist incidents, whether or not the incident amounts to a crime, the person reporting should be asked to consent to the disclosure of this information to other agencies for the sole purpose of prevention or detection;
• In the recording of racist incidents the minimum data content required should be as follows:
  • Reported to: (The person receiving the report such as Registered Manager, Community staff, Police Officer);
  • At: (Location reported at): (i.e. Home, Police Station, etc.);
  • Referred by: (the Agency or other person referring the victim to the Police if the incident is being referred);
  • Time and date of report and nature of incident.

2. Categories of Response

It is recognised that caring for, and managing children/young people with difficult or challenging behaviour is an integral feature of residential care work. Community staff will generally manage problematic situations except where they are so severe that immediate police involvement is essential in order to avoid physical assault or damage. The Protocol identifies three categories.

• Serious Incidents;
• Not serious Incidents;
• Liaison;
• Internal Incidents.

2.1 Serious Incidents

Incidents of violence requiring an immediate police response where children/young persons or staff are:

• At risk of immediate serious physical harm;
• Where there is a risk of substantial damage to property; or
• Risk of significant disorder with the home.

In such situations the Director of the Home/Senior Person on Duty should contact the police by dialling 999.

If the Director has not been consulted/informed prior to contacting the Police, s/he should be notified without delay. 

• If the Police are called to the home, the Director Must be notified;
• if a serious offence is committed, the Director Must be notified.

It will also be necessary to notify the social worker and the Regulatory Authority (See Notification of Serious Events Procedure)

2.2 Not Serious Incidents

An incident where no immediate police response is required for example where assaults or damage has occurred and there is no risk of recurrence/significant harm to people, or incidents of theft. The incidents should be reported to the Director / Registered Manager who then has the responsibility of identifying the appropriate course of action. 

It is important to avoid any unnecessary reporting of incidents to the police. Should the Director decide and/or the victim wishes that formal police involvement is necessary, where possible this should be through the Single Point of Contact, such as the Community Beat Officer or PCSO, during regularly arranged liaison meetings.

When a situation involving a child or young person is to be discussed at the Liaison Meeting the child's Social Worker should be informed and they may wish to join the discussion.

If the discussion needs to be held sooner the Director should arrange for the SPoC Officer to visit the home as soon as possible. If this officer is unavailable the Director should contact the Police Control Room to request a delay or scheduled response visit by another Officer. 

In certain circumstances preservation of evidence may be an issue and residential staff will need to ensure that reasonable steps are taken to retain articles relevant to any criminal allegation or police investigation. 

A referral to the Youth Crime Prevention Panel for the area should be considered for those cases considered not serious or internal - via the social worker.

2.3 Liaison

Police involvement should be on a risk assessment basis. If there is no risk, then the involvement will be with Community Directors or at a low level of involvement.

The primary police involvement in children's homes should be through the SPoC Officer, meeting staff on a regular basis. Whilst some officers may already perform this duty it must be emphasised that a good working relationship is the most effective way to respond to children/young people with difficulties, and it is in this area that consideration should be given for joint agency training.

A regular liaison meeting ideally on a four weekly basis or at an appropriate level according to the homes needs should take place between the SPoC Officer and Manager would provide for discussion of not serious incidents within the home to identify the appropriate method of resolution, including:

• Internal action by Staff with no police involvement;
• Formal police investigation primarily by the Police Community Support Officer and any resulting action.

This liaison meeting will also provide an opportunity to share more general views and co-operation and develop a better understanding of each Agencies responsibilities and practices. 

It is not the intention of this Protocol to restrict the options available to Community Staff and SPoC  Officers but to emphasise the importance of flexibility in determining the most suitable option for dealing with children and young people. Additional advice and support could be sought from the child/young person's social worker.

2.4 Internal Incidents

It is anticipated that relatively minor incidents will be addressed by using routine internal policies and procedures.

As stated a referral to the Youth Crime Prevention Panel for the area should be considered.

3. Recording

The following records must be completed:

• An Incident Report;
• Daily Log.