Right Care, Right Person
In England and Wales, the Right Care, Right Person approach assesses if the police are the most appropriate service to respond.
While some mental health related incidents may need the police, other services may be more appropriate. Health and social care staff have the experience and training to provide the relevant physical and mental health support.
The aim of the approach is:
- to get the person or people involved the right help as soon as possible
- to prevent further distress to the person
- to allow the police to focus resources on preventing crime, protecting life and property and keeping public order
Police forces using this approach have already benefited by being able to provide more appropriate responses.
In England, police and partner agencies have signed a National Partnership Agreement. They will work together to ensure people get the right support. Their regular meetings allow knowledge sharing and improved services.
This agreement is between:
- Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
- Home Office
- NHS England
- National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)
- Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC)
- College of Policing
In Wales, the agreement is between police and partner agencies. They have formed a National Partnership Group.
This includes:
- NHS
- local councils
- voluntary organisations
They will work together to help get people the right support.
When the police can help
If we are the most appropriate service, we will attend when there is:
- an immediate risk to life of a person
- an immediate risk of serious harm to a person
We’ll still respond to reports of crime in the usual way.
We will always attend when we are the right service to respond. We assess every request against things like threat, harm, risk, and vulnerability. The Right Care, Right Person approach becomes part of this process.
Further information
Read the Policy paper: National Partnership Agreement: Right Care, Right Person (RCRP)
See the College of Policing Right Care, Right Person toolkit
Assisting police with essential information
When it is appropriate to respond, there are tools to help the police find the right information sooner.