Emergency duty social workers at North West council to be able to access live police body-worn camera footage under partnership with local police force

In a LinkedIn post shared last week, the council’s Assistant Director for Children and Young People, Jonathan Taylor, said the initiative represents a “bold step forward” in how the council protects children during high-risk police incidents, particularly those occurring outside of standard working hours.

The key aims of the approach are to:

• reduce the time children spend under Police Protection Orders
• improve the quality and speed of safeguarding decisions
• strengthen joint working between police and Children’s Services
• ensure that every action taken is rooted in compassion, context, and care

Taylor said: “As we prepare to go live, we are confident that it will set a new benchmark for safeguarding practice not just locally, but nationally. This is more than a technical solution. It’s a reflection of our shared commitment to doing better for children by acting faster, working smarter, and standing together.”

Cumbria Constabulary has been approached for comment.