Herbert Protocol forms are available to aid searching for a missing person with special needs or Dementia. If you loose track of a loved one or someone you care for is very distressing. If they have special needs or Dementia, this is even more of a concern. At this time it is hard to relay vital information about them to the Police or other agencies as your mind is worrying about their wellbeing. In a care home setting this is just as bad as you may not be that familiar with the person and there may not be anyone else to help you.
The idea of the Herbert Protocol is to create a single document which you write now that includes al the information about that person including a photo so it can be circulated quickly to the Police in the moment of need. It is a simple risk reduction tool used if an adult with special needs goes missing. Complete the form to the best of your ability, you do not have to complete it all but do your best as the more information that is available, the better the Police can search for them. There are some sections for professional careers that may not apply if you are completing it for a family member, just fill in what you can.
The Herbert Protocol form is kept close to hand in the home or care home where it can be easily found. You do nt have to send it to the Police until that person goes missing. The Herbert Protocol form is completed to the best of your ability and updated where necessary. In the care setting, you must store the form under the Data Protection regulations but where it can be accessed easily. It can be held electronically or in paper format and although not compulsory, it is highly recommended by the Police force.
If the person goes missing, call 999 and ask for the Police and tell them you have the Herbert Protocol form to hand for them.
Some of the sections on the form are:
• Personal information
• Next of kin details
• Doctors details
• Medical information
• Places of interest they may go
• Hobbies and interests
• Jobs they had
• Places the travel to or have traveled to
• Does the person have GPS tracking on them
• Their weekly routine
• Other relevant information
• Key people in their care or family members
• Care home details
• And finally the details of the person filling in the form.
Different Police forces and care companies have different versions of the form with their logos and details on, but the form is the same. We have placed one version and some leaflets in the download area of this course.