3.11.2 Contacting the Police

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 the 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 on the part of staff/carers 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 in consultation with the on call manager or 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 significant Damage to Property.

If the potential injury is significant or the potential damage is serious, Restraint can also be used 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. Any technique for restraining a child should only be used by staff or carers who are suitably trained, although staff would be expected to respond in accordance with their duty of care in line with the Physical Intervention procedures.

Staff/carers should act as they see fit and then inform the child's social worker and other relevant agencies and professionals as appropriate.

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 involve the young person in recovering, repairing, replacing or restoring the property rather than contacting the Police.

If the offending behaviour is persistent or serious, the Police may be contacted. However, unless there are immediate risks that a serious offence may be committed, the child's social worker and/or shift leader should be consulted before a decision is taken.

4. Violence/Assaults

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 and risk assessment.

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

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 after 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 in a home, the child's social worker and on call manager must be notified as soon as practicable afterwards. Whenever the Police are required to attend an incident the staff or in the case of foster placement a foster home, the supervising social worker should contact the Regulatory Authority.

There are a number of records that must be completed in the event of an Incident, whether or not the Police were called for assistance, which are summarised in the Incidents Guidance chapter.