25/06/2013
The Needs Meeting the emotional needs of families of missing people Helen Alves – Family Support Manager Missing People First International Conference on Missing Children & Adults 20 June 2013, University of Portsmouth
The main features of ‘Missing’ and Enduring Loss are: uncertainty unverified speculation loss of the assumptive world a life you didn’t chose denial of rituals you don’t get over it not knowing when it’s right to leave them behind practical and mental searching conflicting “truths” outside scrutiny no one to understand loss of control change in your social network
Lobbying for legislative change Presumption of Death Guardianship/Power of Attorney
Written Online Guidance Topics include, working with the media, working with the police, coping with thoughts and feelings.
Framework guidance for Institutions Working with trade bodies to establish practice frameworks for their involvment with families. ie Banking, welfare rights, insurance, solicitors.
Consultation and Feedback Families voices being heard both formally and informally within organisation. Including, Family feedback annual survey, membership on Advisory groups, Development board and seeking advice.
116000 Helpline 24 hour emotional and practical free and confidential support by phone, email and text.
Family Support Worker A point of contact within the team who can react and develops a tailored relationship based on the family's needs.
Family Representatives Family members who volunteer their experience of missing and skills to help the charity and raise awareness of their missing person.
Missing People's Family Support Services
Legal and Financial advice Information about specific issues that present practical problems when someone is missing.
Telephone Counselling Bespoke free specialised counselling for families and friends of missing people.
Publicity or Tracing service Practical publicity and police liaison or a structured tracing enquiry process dependant on the type of missing person investigation.
Reconnections Opportunities to reconnect, pass messges and put people in touch when both parties want to be reconnected.
Event days Opportunities for families to be supported and be VIPs at Missing People events, including the Carol concert and Miles for Missing People 10km run.
Family Connect online forum Peer support through online family forum.
Search days Regional publicity and public awareness raising about local missing people. Families are able to attend and be involved.
Family Support days Opportunities for families to meet locally, to remember and to share experiences .
• People’s mental and emotional welfare affected – 54% • Learning curve • Spectrum of practical and emotional issues • Lack of support structures • Presenting issues • Longevity of need
3 Stages of Support What do families need at each of these stages from Missing People Stage 1: Crisis • • • • • • • •
Advice How to report someone missing Validation Understanding Clear steps to follow Practical and emotional support Day to day updating Police liaison
Stage 2: Joining the search • • • • •
Posters Media Children’s appeal- website Police liaison Search, textsafe, facebook
Stage 3: ongoing support- the passage of time • • • • • • •
Emotional support Listening Someone to talk to about the missing person Someone who remembers Putting into contact with other families through the family forum Group support/telephone counselling Practical family guidance advice
The gaps Provision and Specialist knowledge Provision - Focus on all stages of the emotional experience - Seamless and well trod path for families and police - liaison - Aftercare - Improvement in legal and financial assistance Specialist knowledge - Uniqueness of ‘missing’ loss to bereavement, suicide, homicide and accident - Family mediation - Understanding of search - International missing and natural disaster ‘missing’
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25/06/2013
Helen Alves Family Support Manager
[email protected] 0208 392 4543 www.missingpeople.org.uk
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