News from our Members

Missing adult scheme launched

A scheme aimed at helping police to locate missing adults is being piloted by North Wales Police, in partnership with Conwy County Borough Council.

The scheme, named the Herbert Protocol after a former soldier who suffered from dementia, has already been launched in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Gwent and it is thought it will eventually be rolled out across Wales.

The initiative encourages family members or carers to fill in an ‘adult at risk’ person profile about their loved one, which includes information such as their name, date of birth, habits and access to transport. The form is designed to help police officers access important information which could help locate a missing person living within a care home as soon as possible.

Chris Walker, adult safeguarding coordinator at Conwy County Borough Council, said: “If we can save minutes we can save lives. At this distressing time families or friends may struggle to remember information or they may even make errors and provide the wrong details.

"Giving them the chance to write down the information in advance will hopefully ease the pressure they may feel and provide them with some reassurances."

As part of National Safeguarding Week – November 14 to 18 – two awareness raising workshops will be held at Venue Cymru to launch the scheme. The workshops will be held on November 14 from 9.30am-11am and from 11.30am-1pm.

For more information, go to the North Wales Safeguarding Board website.