ACPO/NPIA police guidance published

The National Police Improvement Agency have published guidance on responding to people with mental ill-health or learning difficulties, on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers. The guidance was produced following consultation with the Third Sector, including Revolving Doors Agency who will be attending the launch event on 27th May.

The need for improvement in this area was identified by Lord Bradley in his 2009 review - a conclusion which  led to the Offender Health Strategy, Improving health, supporting justice, and prompted this guidance.

The key principles identified on which the police role in responding to these groups should be based include promoting mental health for all, achieving responses by the most appropriate agency and promoting social inclusion.

The guidance emphasises that those with mental health problems or learning difficulties often experience multiple other problem areas in their life, and that coexisting problems such as drug or alcohol issues can obscure these needs with potentially serious consequences. The guidance applies to all police contact with these groups, including as a victim, and it highlights the increased victimisation that these groups experience.

It outlines that the most important consideration for the police is identifying whether a criminal justice intervention or a social/healthcare intervention (or both) is appropriate, emphasising that "instigating a criminal investigation should not be seen as an alternative to a healthcare response."

It also recognises that the police are unlikely to be the most appropriate agency to meet the needs of these groups and promotes a partnership or multi-agency approach whether at a strategic, operational or individual level.  "The role of individual police officers in joint working cannot be overstated. This type of intervention can be especially helpful in working with those with multiple needs who may face difficulties in accessing services. Sometimes help in persuading agencies to recognise their responsibilities is necessary. This can at times be usefully provided by individual police officers working with other services to prevent people from spiralling into a cycle of crisis, crime and mental health problems."

Multi-agency working can "facilitiate longer-term responses to the circumstances and challenges of particular individuals, which may prevent the escalations of problems and the repeated involvement of the police." It emphasises the key role of Neighbourhood Policing Teams in improving responses to these groups, for example in identifying individuals in the community with unmet needs and facilitating access to other agencies and support.

The guidance highlights formal partnerships between Neighbourhood Policing Teams and specialist outreach workers to facilitiate referrals to health services - examples of such services include Revolving Doors' projects in Islington and Warrington.

Finally, the guidance highlights the need for appropriate local frameworks for service user consultation and feedback, incorporating both victims and offenders, "as part of the police commitment to citizen-focused services". Service user involvement in the planning, development and delivery of training is also recommended. Members of Revolving Doors' national Service User Forum contributed to the development of the NPIA mental health awareness training programme for new police officers. Revolving Doors Agency considers it is imperative that the people who have found themselves caught in the revolving door of crisis and crime have the opportunity to articulate their experiences and influence change.

To read the ACPO/NPIA guidance in full, please follow the link here. You can also read Revolving Doors' response to the consultation for this here.