1.10.4 Contacting the Police

Contents

1. Relationships with the Police and Planning for Change
2. Managing Serious Disruption
3. Theft or Damage to Property
4. Violence/Assaults
5. Notifications and Recording

1. Relationships with the Police and Planning for Change

Everyone involved in looking after children must develop co-operative relationships with the Police and should seek their advice on matters of concern, security and crime prevention.

Illegal behaviour should not be condoned, but it is important to be mindful of our duty to consider the overall welfare of children; which may mean recognising that illegal activity is taking place and working to minimise risks and consequences.

Unless otherwise set out in writing, for example in a child's Placement Plan, any suspicion that a child has or is likely to commit an offence must be discussed with the Manager; who should consult the child's social worker if the behaviour is persistent or serious. 

Any decision to report matters to the Police or consult them should normally only be taken by a manager/supervisor in consultation with the child's social worker.

Where there are concerns that a child is engaged or likely to be engaged in offending behaviour, measures must be adopted to reduce or prevent it. Where the behaviour is persistent or serious, the child's Placement Plan must include a summary of the concerns and the Strategies being adopted to change the behaviour.

In this respect, other relevant agencies, including the Police, may be consulted and involved.

If necessary the Placement Plan should indicate whether and in what circumstances the Police should be contacted should suspicions arise about offending behaviour.

2. Managing Serious Disruption

Staff/carers are expected to do all that is reasonable to manage children looked after by them, which includes the management of confrontational and disruptive behaviour.

As a last resort Physical Intervention can be used to prevent children or others being Injured or to prevent Damage to Property.

If there is a risk of Significant Injury or Serious Damage to Property, Restraint may be appropriate as a Last Resort; but if this is not possible or control is lost and the risks of injury or damage escalate, the Police may be called for assistance.

Wherever possible, a Manager would give authorisation to such action, but if this is not possible staff/carers should act as they see fit and then inform the Manager as soon as possible thereafter.

3. Theft or Damage to Property

If there is a suspicion that a child may be engaged or likely to be engaged in any criminal activity including theft or malicious damage, staff/carers must act to reduce or prevent the behaviour.

This may include taking steps to recover, repair or restore the property rather than contacting the Police.

If the offending behaviour is persistent or of a serious nature and when unable to de-escalate the situation to the point where safety is compromised , the Police may be contacted. However, unless there are immediate risks that a serious offence may be committed, the Manager of the home and the child's social worker should be consulted before a decision is taken.

We cannot accept or influence a third parties right to involve the police.

4. Violence/Assaults

It is the right of any individual to press assault charges, we would request all staff to discuss with their line manager and or senior managers to debrief the incident  before making the final decision to proceed with any charge of assault.

e will support the individual and their rights should they wish to pursue this course of action.

If a child is known to be violent, the concerns and strategies designed to reduce or prevent the behaviour must be set out in his/her Placement Plan.

Apart from individual Placement Plans, Managers must do all they can to create a safe and positive working and living environment for staff/carers and children.

However, staff/carers must take what action is immediately necessary to prevent violence or assaults from occurring.

This may include the use of Restraint or other forms of Physical Intervention.

4.1 Reporting Violence/Assaults to the Police

The Police will not normally be contacted unless the violence is serious, persistent or the victim wishes to make a complaint to the Police.

If victims wish to make such a complaint they should be encouraged only to do so having given consideration to the implications and consequences for all concerned.

If victims do decide to contact the Police they should be offered support and advice by a manager/supervisor.

5. Notifications and Recording

If the Police are called to provide assistance in managing an Incident of any kind, the manager of the home must be notified within 24 hours or as soon as practicable thereafter. 

It will also be necessary to notify the senior managers and other agencies, see Notifiable Events Procedure. 

There are a number of records that must be completed in the event of an Incident, it will also be necessary for the Manager to conduct a Management Review.

Please refer to Incidents - General Guidance for detail of these records/procedures.

End