Self Neglect

Click here to watch an animation on what to do about self neglect, the signs to look out for and how to report any concerns. 

Hidden Harms: Domestic Abuse & Older Adults

Domestic Abuse involving older people can be under recognised and also underreported. Based on the power and control wheel as adapted by Dewis Choice, the aim of this short animation is to be a tool to help support practitioners and families start a conversation with an older adult. Click here to watch the animation on Hidden Harms - Older Adults and Domestic Abuse. 

Cumbria Police have adopted a ground-breaking initiative which aims to prevent missing veterans coming to harm.

The Forcer Protocol is a tool used by the police to ensure key information is available to them when they are searching for service veterans who are lost or have gone missing when they return home.  The protocol gives police access to veterans' details such as any key vulnerabilities or any known-risk factors, and where they have been found if they went missing before.  Veterans or their families have to give consent to those details being shared first.

For more information on The Forcer Protocol and to complete a form, please visit: Forcer Protocol – Safe and Found Online.

People with dementia can sometimes start to wander. This might only be into the garden or street for a short time, but sometimes people get lost and go missing.

Carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves, can fill in a Herbert Protocol form in advance, containing information to help the police if the person goes missing.

Keeping a completed form means you don’t have to try to remember the information when you are under stress if someone goes missing. And it saves time, so we can start the search sooner.  To find out more information and advice from Cumbria Constabulary, click here.

Cumbria Constabulary has adopted a new operating model which will ensure that those in need of specialist support receive the help they need from the agency best placed to provide that support.

Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) is about ensuring that people in need of specialist help receive that help from the right organisation - whether that is the police or a partner agency.  The new model commenced in Cumbria for adults only on the 14^th May 2024. The changes will relate to call to service regarding:

• Concerns for the welfare of a person including people who have walked out of a healthcare setting
• People who are absent without authorised leave from mental health services
• Medical incidents

If someone contacts police about concerns for the welfare of a person, including people who have walked out of a healthcare setting, people who are absent without authorised leave from mental health services or any other medical incident, they will be advised to contact the appropriate organisation.  What will not change is the police’s response to a call for service where there is a risk to life or of serious harm to a person or a crime is involved or it involves a child, whether that’s to the person in crisis themselves or other people.  

For more information on this, please visit: Right Care, Right Person adoption in Cumbria - Cumbria Constabulary.

North East & Cumbria Learning Disability Network have shared information and reminders about the importance of annual health checks for individuals with a learning disability.  Annual health checks are important because they help to keep you well.  Anybody with a learning disability age 14+ on the GP learning disability register can have a health check. Find out more here.

Did you know cases of Modern Slavery in the social care sector have soared in the last few years? Victims are often forced to  work shifts of up to 20 hours a day, in some cases 7 days a week, for as little as £2 an hour.

Modern slavery in the social care sector has surged since immigration rules were relaxed and new visa routes for employment were opened up in order to address the thousands of vacancies.  Staff shortfalls in the UK care sector have left the industry vulnerable to trafficking gangs. As the supply chain gets bigger, there's more chance for exploitation.

The charity Unseen, which is working towards a world without slavery, has recorded a 30% rise in calls about the care sector in the past 12 months. 

To learn more about Modern Slavery in the care sector and information from Crime Stoppers including how to spot the signs click here.

Edge Training have published their latest DoLS case law update for May 2024.

To access and read the lastest judgments and updates click here.  You will also find information about the 2nd Edition DoLS handbook and new free to download DoLS app.

Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council, in partnership with SafeLives, are offering the training opportunity to complete ‘Responding Well’ Domestic Abuse Training.

SafeLives are a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. They are independent, practical and evidence-led, with survivor voice at the heart of our thinking. They work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse.

This face-to-face training is free to all professionals and the sessions will last a full day.   To learn more about this training, dates available and how to book a place, please click here