First reported 28 May 2014•Latest report 10 Jun 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of welfare-check processes for people whose health or welfare is of concern, including unclear purpose, frequency or criteria, inconsistent understanding of what constitutes a check, inadequate recording requirements and related controls needed to ensure checks are meaningful and traceable.
Not included
Excludes routine patient observations, continuous observation, clinical monitoring and named mental-health observation systems unless the assertion specifically concerns a welfare-check process.
Excludes failures limited to conducting welfare checks for people in distress where the broader concern is completion of a distress check rather than the health-concern welfare-check process.
Excludes generic policy, training, documentation or staffing deficiencies unless they directly undermine the definition, delivery or recording of required welfare checks.
Excludes non-person checks, such as premises, equipment or prisoner-security checks, unless the assertion concerns a person's health or welfare.
Reports
28
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
34
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
54
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Ministry of Justice6
HM Prison and Probation Service3
Department of Health and Social Care2
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust2
Metropolitan Police Service2
NHS England2
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust1
Cardiff & Vale University LHB1
Care Quality Commission1
Care UK1
College of Policing1
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport1
Depaul UK1
Devon & Cornwall Police1
Exeter Prison1
Ministerial department9
NHS trust9
Prison or young offender institution6
Police force4
Executive agency3
Executive non-departmental public body2
Registered provider of social housing2
Type not available2
Coronial office1
Devolved government1
Health and social care service regulator1
Independent healthcare provider1
Justice inspectorate1
Local health board1
Multi-service care provider1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Cheshire
Concerns raised2
Lack of clarity about the policy for declining welfare calls
Failure to apply clear criteria for determining whether welfare checks are healthcare related and should be accepted or rejected
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Introduce and implement Concern for Welfare Response Criteria Guidelines governing receipt, recording, escalation and ambulance responses.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2026.
Action
Communicate concern-for-welfare ambulance deployment criteria and limitations to police, acute trusts, mental health organisations and councils through system-partner engagement.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2026.
Action
Meet with Okay Each Day and explain when ambulances will and will not be deployed for concern-for-welfare calls.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
NWAS cannot unilaterally provide welfare callouts for people whose needs or locations cannot be established.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
The Concern for Welfare policy was sufficient because the call lacked a verified location and confirmed physical or mental health need.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Other services must independently investigate whether an uncontactable person requires physical or mental healthcare.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Kent & Medway
Concerns raised1
Lack of face-to-face update or refresher training for officers undertaking community welfare checks
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Deliver refresher training on welfare checks, highlighting suicide risk and consideration of mental health and other agency support for suspects under investigation for child sexual abuse offences.
Stated by Kent PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 August 2026.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Failure to use a viable welfare-check pathway when the resident is not known to be at the address
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.7
Action
Review Right Care Right Person and Missing Persons guidance jointly to identify clarifications supporting operational decision-making.
Stated by College of PolicingStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2026.
Action
Identify emerging risk-based operational practice, including escalation routes to specialist missing person teams for uncertain incident classifications.
Stated by College of PolicingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2026.
Action
Produce interoperability guidance for ambiguous Right Care Right Person and Missing Persons cases, including escalation to appropriately trained specialist teams.
Stated by College of PolicingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 July 2026.
Action
Develop an updated Concern for Welfare policy with practical scenarios addressing deployment and Local Missing Hub referral decisions.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2026.
Action
Review guidance, training and quality-assurance arrangements so advice to callers is practical, achievable and aligned with partner-agency responsibilities.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 July 2026.
Action
Reinforce escalation and supervisory review when agency responsibility is uncertain, disputed or associated with increasing concern.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 July 2026.
Action
Incorporate learning from the case into ongoing MetCC training, briefings and governance processes.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 July 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Healthcare providers must undertake initial reasonable enquiries when a patient leaves a healthcare setting, using the most appropriate agency or agencies.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Delays and non-occurrence of scheduled morning welfare checks due to lack of staff
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Reissue written instructions and reminders on correct unlock procedures and welfare checks, including communication through safety meetings.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Update initial and refresher training to instruct officers on positive-response welfare checks during unlock.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Issue updated welfare-check procedures requiring physical checks during morning unlock.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Amend residential wing ledgers to require daily recorded welfare checks, including weekends.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Operate enhanced daily compliance checks using CCTV review, rotational unit sampling, issue escalation and management follow-up.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Review welfare-check compliance and trends through monthly multidisciplinary Safety Meetings.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Welfare checks could safely be conducted by one officer, and there was no requirement for officers to conduct them in pairs.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Gwent
Concerns raised2
Inadequate documentation of welfare checks
Inadequate welfare checks on residents
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Issue and implement a prescriptive welfare-check form with recording and response guidance across all three temporary accommodation sites.
Stated by MJ Events Support Ltd and Monmouthshire County CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 October 2025.
Action
Upgrade induction training with specific welfare-check guidance and place the protocol alongside welfare-check forms at all three sites.
Stated by MJ Events Support Ltd and Monmouthshire County CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 October 2025.
Action
Adopt Welfare Response Bags and require Safe Guards to carry them during welfare checks.
Stated by MJ Events Support Ltd and Monmouthshire County CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 October 2025.
Manchester West
Concerns raised1
Failure to undertake welfare checks on child contact-sport participants
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Direct regulation of sport does not fall within the government’s role or functions.
Stated by Department for Digital, Culture, Media and SportOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Delays in actioning welfare checks and physically attending rooms
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Change the Duty Manager rota geography to reduce each manager’s property coverage and improve responsiveness for room-entry requests.
Stated by Unite StudentsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 January 2025.
Action
Review Emergency Control Centre call-handling procedures to improve triage and ensure staff ask questions that establish the basis and potential seriousness of enquiries.
Stated by Unite StudentsStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 January 2025.
Action
Provide 24/7 staffing at all sites to support student welfare and response capacity.
Stated by Unite StudentsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 January 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The concern that the welfare-check request took hours to action is based on misinterpreted evidence, and the pre-escalation response was reasonable.
Stated by Unite StudentsDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Nottinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Lack of arrangements for welfare checks when the First Night Interview cannot take place
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Update the induction policy to require late-arrivals forms when normal induction cannot be facilitated.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 January 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing published Expectations cover the identified prison safety issues, which inspectors will consider during inspections and follow up as appropriate.
Stated by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of PrisonsExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Mid Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Failure to conduct prisoner welfare checks in line with national guidance and local policies
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised1
Lack of clarity about the welfare sheet’s purpose for monitoring prisoners whose health is of concern
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Work with HMP Garth healthcare staff to develop training and awareness sessions for prison staff on welfare checklist use and guidance.
Stated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Develop and consult on national guidance for managing prisoners under the influence of illicit substances, incorporating the reported welfare-check concerns.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Produce a standard operating procedure defining prison and healthcare staff responsibilities when conducting welfare checks on prisoners monitored under the influence.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
HMPPS is developing national guidance addressing welfare checklist concerns about purpose, completion guidance and joint consideration.
Stated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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Includes failures of welfare-check processes for people whose health or welfare is of concern, including unclear purpose, frequency or criteria, inconsistent understanding of what constitutes a check, inadequate recording requirements and related controls needed to ensure checks are meaningful and traceable.
