Winnie Protocol form for adults at risk of going missing

The Winnie Protocol is a best practice process and form. It enables the capture of useful information about an adult at risk of going missing. The information is then available when needed, at a worrying and distressing time. Northumbria Police and the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Safeguarding Adult Boards created this.

The process may help to understand the person's details, interests and situation quickly. It can also identify risks, and supports carers with actions to take. An up to date form can provide quality information. It may help the search begin without delay, to safely find the person.

Carers, guardians and parents should complete the form. This notes:

• personal information and a description
• places they may have gone, or people they could be with
• previous times they have gone missing
• the person's interests and habits
• if they have access to any money, mobile phone, transport and social media
• risk factors
• initial search considerations
• any current enquiries and actions

How to complete the form

Download the Winnie Protocol missing adult form

Complete the form as soon as possible with as much detail as you can. The adult should give consent for completion of the form, and complete it with them if possible. Once complete, the care provider or local authority owns the report. Please make sure you review the details often, and keep them up to date.

Please note: This form may not be suitable for use with some assistive technologies. Contact us if you require this in a different format.

How to store the form safely

Complete the form as a digital version where possible. It can then be updated and shared with the police. Store the the form securely on your computer system. It needs to be easy for you, or any other carer, to find it during the day or night. So that you do not rely on an individual computer, back the form up to password protected online storage.

Ownership of the form

Once complete, the form belongs to the family or care provider of the individual. The police should not complete the form, or keep or store it on any police recording platform.

When the adult you care for goes missing

If you discover the adult has gone missing, take reasonable steps to try and find them. The form will support you with actions to take.

If you cannot find them, you can report a missing person online. Use the form to provide information to the police.

If it's an emergency and the person is in danger, phone 999 now. 

When the form should be given to the police

The police only need to see the completed form if the person is reported as missing.