Why would a police officer attend with social services?

[pinkorgolf]

To a elderly persons home with dementia.
Why is a police officer necessary?

It is necessary to section under the mental health act

A police officer isnt necessary to section.

Did social services have any concern re the patient becoming violent or the patients family members being abusive?

If they have broken the law

This wasn't for anything like that.
A housing officer had called social services because my grandma has dementia and she's trying to get her out of her property.
The housing officer arrived Monday (unannounced ) with social services and a police officer.
Obviously that upset my grandma
So I'm wondering why the police officer was necessary for a chat ?

A police officer isnt necessary to section.

You sure about that?

Nope none-I'm the one who has spoken to H/A and has never been anything but nice (maybe too soft and a pushover )
I've never had any dealings with the police in my life,so obviously was a shock

What did they say the reason was when you ask them?

Skierrdery. Absolutely I've been at rather a lot. Ime a police officer is sometimes called if the patient is unwilling, but all in all if the patient can be convinced /ambulance driver can convince the patient to travel with them then it is much calmer.

The housing officer said
I called social services as I had concerns of your gran having dementia (even tho social services already are aware and last year did an Assesment she found no issues with her remaining at her property )
I was that upset I didn't ask why she felt the need to have a police officer there.

Do you want your friend or relative to remain in the home? Were you present?

I'm 99.9% certain a police officer is not needed to section someone. If they are then the twice yearly MHA training I have attended for 6 years has failed to mention it.

Possibly the HO represented it to SS that a forced entry might be necessary due to welfare concerns?

Yes I want her to remain in her home as does she.
I am her full time carer
This housing officer is constantly on my back,pushing sheltered accommodation leaflets through the door,ringing me up go into her office.
I'm sick of it

@ArriettyJones I don't have a clue why considering she knows me and knows I'm her full time carer.
Social services walked in seen she was okay and left.
Total waste of time.
God knows what the H/O has been saying

As far as I know, neither SS nor paramedics have the power to section anyone.

Maybe it is just their policy, maybe they have had violent incidents in the past. I can imagine they get abuse if they are ending a tenancy on many occasions.

You posted about this yesterday?

Police don't need a warrant to enter the property if there is a viable threat to life or property.

Just sounds like a welfare check then. Do you live with her?

Was it a community support police officer? I know within children's services police are sometimes used to accompany a social worker on a safe and well check: I've also seen schools request support from police for safe and well check if child hasn't been seen for a few days. I honestly don't think it's a big deal, but I say this as someone who works within public services so perhaps I normalise involvement of such services.

Just reading your OP back again, are they trying to move your mum to more appropriate accommodation? I would think the police involvement would be because a lot of people with dementia can be unpredictable and it was probably just a precaution.

Sounds like the housing officer has complained to social worker about lack of capacity. The police officer would be there to enact Capacity Act if required. I remember your post from yesterday. Housing officer is playing games. Have you complained to the council yet?

They are legally allowed to enter the property if there are mental health concerns (they do need a warrant though)

No they dont