West Midlands Police

“The policy describes the actions to be taken when a patient is missing or AWOL”

“The updated policy has included valued feedback from the inquest. I can inform you that the appendix C risk rating form that you saw at the inquest has been stepped down, due to emerging evidence in the area. The new version of Appendix C form is a decision recording form which also includes a section which sets out 'why the risk is considered to be present'. The form will be read out to the police in the recorded phone call and it will also be handed over to the police when they attend.”

“I will respond on these points in particular”

“the APCC has developed guidance for members on the Right Care, Right Person approach. The guidance, which was launched in April 2024, strongly encourages PCC oversight of the planning and delivery of the Right Care, Right Person approach to ensure vulnerable people receive the right support from the right services.”

“We acknowledge the need for a sustainable engagement strategy with the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Currently the Prison Discharge Coordinator acts as the main link with the MAPPA process.”

“The Standard Operating Procedure has been revised. In addition to this there is an intention to review the Job Description of this role and understand in more depth the scope of what this role can achieve currently or will need to achieve in the future including any potential additional resource requirements.”

“A comprehensive review of the current interaction process between the Prison In-reach team and the CMHT is planned. This will involve a detailed gap analysis to determine areas needing strengthening. We aim to develop a clear plan to enhance this interface, thereby improving continuity of care and ensuring that individuals receive the necessary support as they transition from prison to community-based services.”

“We anticipate we will have a decision around this within the next month.”

“the Trust has improved the structure and supervision surrounding the prison discharge coordinator roles, such that the practitioners have weekly supervision with opportunity to escalate cases of concern, and an improved system of referrals and discharge procedures, reflected in the updated standard operating protocol.”

“RECONNECT is a vulnerability service supporting multiple service user needs including accessing mental health support. They are based within HMP Birmingham however are a national service and accept referrals from Out of Area prisons for prison leavers relocating to Birmingham and Solihull. Additionally, prison leavers can be referred up to 28 days post release by probation offender managers, other professionals, family/friends or self-referrals.”

“WMP is currently setting up a working group with key partner agencies, including mental health agencies and professionals, to discuss and design a joint missing person protocol”

“We accept this recommendation. - Following the events at Fishmongers' Hall all activity with Learning Together was paused. - Ahead of any decision to restart we are designing a new framework to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of prisons and universities when they work in partnership to deliver learning where students study alongside serving prisoners or those released on licence. This will include guidance setting out the responsibility for risk assessment and the circumstances in”

“- We accept option (b) of this recommendation. - We have reviewed best practice relating to the delivery of ERGs in the community. We agree that forensic psychologists should be directly involved in every ERG assessment carried out in the community. - The optimal delivery model is one that makes best use of both forensic psychologists, who have expertise in structured professional judgement and risk assessment tools, and CT probation specialists, who have expertise in the management of”

“We accept this recommendation. - Psychologists are routinely attending MAPPA meetings to present their report where invited. - We will update the MAPPA statutory guidance by April 2022, to make it a requirement that psychologists attend MAPPA meetings - and, specifically, to require them to be invited to present their ERG assessment to the MAPPA meeting.”

“The coroner raises in principle two key matters for consideration. Firstly the actions taken to reduce the demand pressures placed on control room staff, recognised at the time of Mr. [name redacted] death. Secondly the training and support provided to staff to alleviate these demand pressures ensuring that incidents are dealt with effectively.”

“West Midlands Police will ensure any caller is updated when a missing person has been located to allow further contact between parties. This may not always mean full details of whereabouts are disclosed (as individual cases may prevent this from being appropriate) however, the reasons for this will be recorded and explained in each case.”

“The case will now be referred to the National Missing Persons Operational Group to consider working with the Police Search Advisor (POLSA) to amend guidance around how a search is co- ordinated in similar cases; specifically providing clarity around the tasking of the search, what is being searched for and the accurate recording of search, completed with oversight by Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and POLSA.”

“Since 2010, management of custody facilities and staff has been brought under a central force department, Central Justice Services (CJS) and the number of custody suites reduced from 21 to 11. The creation of this department has allowed for greater accountability and clearer leadership.”

“In June 2013, WMP launched the 'Pride in our Police' campaign. This internal campaign aims to promote a culture of high professional standards and personal responsibility across the organisation.”

“All first and second line supervisors, Sergeants and Inspectors, are attending one day training courses, which have already commenced, covering the Code and its requirements.”

“All new custody officers and staff, since 2010, have undertaken a specific lesson entitled, 'The Role of the Custody Officer', as part of their training for their role.”

“all custody staff receive one day's continuous professional development every 20 weeks.”