To consider report CFO/005/20 of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer concerning, MFRA’s partnership working with regards to vulnerable individuals with mental ill health.  

A presentation will be provided in support of this report.

Members considered Report CFO/005/20 of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, concerning MFRA’s partnership working with regards to vulnerable individuals with mental ill health.

Members were provided with a presentation in support of this report, by Area Manager Gary Oakford.

Members were informed that from a governance perspective, MFRS is an active and engaged stakeholder on Safeguarding Adults and Children’s Boards; with the Strategic Safeguarding Manager attending a range of Boards across Merseyside, as a key partner.

With regards to hoarding, Members were informed that following the tragic incident in Mather Avenue, a new Multi-Agency Hoarding Protocol, has been introduced. They were informed that there is now a very active process in place for whenever hoarding issues are identified, which enables safeguarding referrals to be made.

The presentation highlighted to Members that hoarding can cost anywhere between £1000 and £60,000. Members raised a question around what this means. They were advised that wherever hoarding is identified, the figures represent the cost of potential remedial work, which can vary anywhere between clearing out hoarding material, to demolition costs.

Members were provided with an overview of what hoarding within a property may look like. They were informed of an incident that had occurred the previous evening, which was quite an extreme example of hoarding. In this case, the occupier was able to reach their mobile phone and call for help, which enabled MFRS to respond, remove the individual from the property; and put the relevant referrals in place.

Members were informed that hoarding can be very organised clutter, or it can be chaotic.

Members were advised that wherever hoarding is identified, a referral will be made that comes into a central team. A range of triage questions will be asked to ascertain relevant information and appropriate action. They were also informed that there is always a Safeguarding Officer on duty, to which referrals can be made outside of normal working hours.

It was highlighted to Members that last year, 264 Safeguarding referrals were made, which shows that crews are now much more aware of safeguarding and the referral process. Of those 264 referrals, Members were advised that 164 were referred onto other agencies for action.

Members were informed that in terms of possible outcomes for individuals identified as experiencing mental ill health, there are broadly 3 levels. The first is relatively low level, with individuals perhaps living in social isolation, experiencing a recent bereavement, or suffering from lower level anxiety or depression. For such individuals, they may be referred to local services or community groups, provided with relevant information, or advised to contact their GP.

The next level is more severe, with individuals demonstrating severe hoarding, self-neglect, or undiagnosed or uncontrolled mental health problems. Members were informed that for such individuals, the internal safeguarding protocol would be implemented, with referrals made to other agencies where appropriate.

The final level is where the situation is deemed to be critical, with the individual threatening suicide, at which stage other emergency services/ agencies will be contacted immediately.

Members were advised that there are many people in our communities, who are very vulnerable; and the more we can engage with our communities, the more likelihood there is of them being identified and receiving the support they need.

The presentation went on to highlight that MFRA have signed up to the Mental Health Concordat. This sends a clear message that effective prevention can only be achieved through a collaborative approach; and provides clear recognition that mental ill health can often be linked to the work of the FRS.

With regards to our own staff, the presentation highlighted to Members, some of the initiatives and support provided internally. Members were informed that all senior managers and new recruits, undertake Mental Health First Aid Training; with all staff undertaking the Mental Health First Aid Lite course. There is a Critical Incident Stress Management process in place to support staff following traumatic incidents, a network of “Blue Light Champions”; and an Occupational Health Team. In addition, Members were informed that MFRA are leading some national work around mental health.

Members raised a question regarding how much we do as an FRA, which goes beyond our statutory duty.

Members were informed that internally, we have a very robust occupational health programme. They were informed that MFRA have a psychological contract with its employees, as we need to normalise, what would be totally abnormal for most people. Members were advised of a very traumatic incident that occurred approximately 10 years ago, which prompted MFRA to consider the impact of such traumatic incidents on its staff; and also the frequency of exposure to such incidents; and how this could be actively monitored. Members were informed that the process we now have in place is far more robust.

Members commented that MFRA scored really high around employee welfare in the recent HMICFRS Inspection. They asked that in terms of the expertise of our staff and their involvement with other agencies and boards, to what extent is their participation a statutory requirement.

Members were advised that MFRA are not a statutory partner, but a co-opted partner. However, our staff are able to cross thresholds and are therefore able to identify vulnerable people, which is why “Safe and Well” visits take a more holistic approach.

With regards to the statutory points, Members were advised that MFRA do have certain powers around data sharing; and it also has a duty of care to its employees. They were informed that as the type of incidents and issues that our staff come across change, the duty of care therefore changes, but Members were assured that MFRA do go above and beyond in this regard; and that they do share information and knowledge with other agencies.

Members were also informed that MFRA are one of the leading Blue Light services around this, with each community fire station across Merseyside being a designated “Safe Haven”. Members were advised that everything we do is around ensuring that our communities are safer and our staff are protected; and this is something which is taken very serious, with constant improvement being sought.

Members were advised that “Blue Monday” was approaching, which has been statistically proven to be the day, post-Christmas, when many people feel at their lowest; and that MFRA will be supporting the campaign to change this day to “Brew Monday”, aimed at encouraging people to sit down and talk.

A further question was raised by Members regarding whether certain properties can be identified as housing vulnerable individuals and how proactive we can be.

Members were advised that officers are currently in the process of reshaping the Home Safety Strategy; and that to date, they have been successful in identifying vulnerable individuals through the utilisation of Exeter Data. However previously, individuals over the age of 65 have been specifically targeted.

Members were informed of the intention to evolve the current strategy and overlay the data with indices of deprivation, with targeted campaigns then taking place within identified areas.

They were also advised that discussions are continuing around data sharing with DWP, to help refine the data; and the possibility of providing training to domiciliary careers, to better enable them to identify issues.   

Members Resolved that:

The content of the report and accompanying PowerPoint presentation, be noted.