The Herbert Protocol – Keeping Vulnerable People Safe
The Herbert Protocol is a simple, preventative scheme designed to help police and other emergency services find vulnerable people who may go missing, particularly people living with dementia.
It is about planning ahead and having important information ready before it is needed.
What is the Herbert Protocol?
The Herbert Protocol is a form containing key information about a person who may be at risk of going missing.
This can include:
- A recent photograph
- Their appearance and clothing
- Medication and medical information
- Important telephone numbers
- Places they have previously visited
- Favourite or familiar locations
- Details of their routines, habits and interests
Having this information ready can save valuable time if the person goes missing.
Why is it important?
Dementia can affect memory, communication, decision-making and a person’s understanding of where they are. Someone who becomes confused or disorientated may leave home or a care setting and become lost or vulnerable.
And this is a growing issue.
There are around one million people living with dementia in the UK, according to the Alzheimer’s Society, with this figure projected to reach 1.4 million by 2040.
The Alzheimer’s Society also reports that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease were the leading cause of death in the UK in 2024, based on analysis of official mortality data.
These figures highlight why awareness, preparation and good safeguarding practices matter.
herbert protocol FAQS
How does the Herbert Protocol work?
Think of it as preparing the information before an emergency happens.
1. Complete the form
Record important information with https://www.medicalert.org.uk/create-account-herbert/ about the person, including their photograph, medication, routines and places they know.
2. Keep it up to date
People’s appearance, medication, contact details and routines can change, so information should be reviewed regularly.
3. Report the person missing
If someone is missing and there is concern for their safety, contact the police. You do not have to wait 24 hours. Staffordshire Police advises calling 999 if someone is in immediate danger or vulnerable to harm, or using 101/online reporting where appropriate.
4. Provide the Herbert Protocol information
The information can give police and other responders a useful starting point, helping them understand the person and identify places they may go.
What are the benefits?
The Herbert Protocol can:
- Help families and carers prepare before an incident happens
- Give police important information quickly
- Provide useful clues about where someone may go
- Help responders understand the person’s routines and preferences
- Reduce the need for relatives or carers to remember everything during a stressful situation
- Support a faster, more informed search
It is not a tracking system and it does not prevent someone from going missing. Instead, it helps make sure useful information is available if they do.
Want to learn more about the Herbert Protocol?
If you care for, support or work with someone who may be at risk of going missing, take a few minutes to find out more about the Herbert Protocol.
Useful resources:
- Medic Alert https://www.medicalert.org.uk/create-account-herbert/
- Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service – Herbert Protocol information
- Alzheimer’s Society – dementia information and statistics
- Dementia UK https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/living-with-dementia/herbert-protocol/
The Herbert Protocol – Be prepared. Know what to do.
Family members and first aiders may be among the people who notice that someone is confused, disorientated, injured or behaving differently from normal. Knowing how to respond calmly, recognise when someone may be vulnerable and seek appropriate help are important parts of workplace safety.
At Abacus Training, we know that being prepared for an emergency is about more than knowing how to perform CPR or apply a bandage. Whether you’re looking to refresh your workplace first aid skills, train a new first aider or improve your team’s confidence in an emergency, Abacus Training can help.
We provide a wide range of first aid courses, including Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid, BLS & AED and specialist first aid training, delivered at our Stoke-on-Trent training centre or at your workplace.Our first aid courses combine practical skills with real-world experience, helping learners feel more confident when faced with situations that don’t always go according to plan.
Get in touch with Abacus Training today and let’s talk about the right training for your team. https://abacustraining.co.uk/
A few minutes of preparation today could make a big difference when it matters most.