Free webinar: Case of Joe Pooley
Our colleagues at the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership are inviting practitioners to attend a webinar which looks at the case of Joe Pooley. Joe was a 22 year old care-leaver who received support from Suffolk County Council adult services, as he had a learning disability. As an adult, Joe struggled to sustain stable accommodation, being evicted or moving repeatedly. His cannabis use led to drug debts and Joe was subjected to threats, assaults and financial exploitation but he was not willing to, or due to coercion, was unable to give information to the police to prosecute those responsible. Although practitioners working with Joe worked hard to support him, there was a limited strategic approach to mitigate those emerging risks. In August 2018, Joe was attacked and drowned by associates who had become angered by private messages that he'd sent over social media, after an intimate relationship turned sour.
Following the death of Joe, his mum, Samantha Nicholls, has campaigned to keep Joe’s story alive, taking part in many news articles and most recently the release of ‘When Missing Turns to Murder’ documentary on Netflix (season 2, episode 7). Sam did not take part in the initial Safeguarding Adults Review however she contacted the partnership in 2022 where Anthony Douglas, independent chair for the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership, carried out an interview with Sam to relay Joe's story from when he was initially removed from her care.
Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership will be screening the interview between Anthony and Sam, which has been pre-recorded, however the webinar will be hosted live by Anthony and there will be an opportunity for discussion and Q&A, with Anthony, Alli Hassey (head of safeguarding and reviewing officer service for children and young people services) and Paula Youell (head of adult safeguarding service, adult and community services).
The free webinar will take place on Wednesday 10 January, 4-5pm. To book you place, please follow the link
Published