Missing Children

“Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established will be considered missing until located, and their well-being or otherwise confirmed.”

College of Policing, Authorised Professional Practice: Missing Persons

• According to the UKMPU Annual Data Report, 200,704 missing incidents involved children in 2022/2023.
• Missing People says 1-in-10 looked after children are reported missing compared to 1-in-200 children. 

Children and young people who are missing may be in serious danger and are vulnerable to crime, abuse, sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, abduction, radicalisation and missing education.

The report, The Ethnicity of Missing People, also demonstrates the need to remember that the risks are the same for children from all ethnic groups, and “…risks may be being under-identified for children from Black and Asian communities.”

Listen up and Missing People also report that Black young people feel undervalued and poor media representation results in Black missing children receiving less attention and care.

A child or young person who is going missing for prolonged and/or repeated occasions can be an early warning sign of potential safeguarding concerns.

Missing children and young people are at significant risk of underachieving and more likely not to be in education, employment or training in later life, thereby limiting their potential.

Any child can potentially go missing, but some children are more likely to go missing than others:

Looked after children

According to the Department for Education, looked after children are more likely to go missing, and 1 in every 10 children in care is reported missing each year.

Many children and young people in care experience multiple placement moves, reducing the availability of relationships with safe and trusted adults. 

It’s important that we are aware of the individual needs of looked after children and work to reduce the likelihood of missing incidents.

Trafficked and unaccompanied children

Trafficked and unaccompanied children are more likely to go missing than other children. Thousands of unaccompanied children currently live in accommodation that offers limited supervision and does not always meet their needs. Many go missing in the run up to their 18th birthday, possibly because they’re afraid of what will happen to their immigration status when they become adults. 

LGBTQ+ children

Some LGBTQ+ children and young people may face bullying, discrimination and abuse at home due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They may feel the only way to escape is to run away from home.

Our response when a child or young person goes missing is equally as important as understanding the reasons for them going missing.

There are two stages:

When a child is missing

Think about how much you know about the child, their friends, their likes and dislikes. Do they have any routines that they follow all the time, are there any favourite places they like to go? What do you know about the context in which they went missing? For example, was there a big argument immediately prior to the missing episode? Is there anything that may be drawing them away?

When reporting to the police, ensure you pass on all relevant details you know about the child, including any vulnerabilities and what you think may have led them to go missing, so officers can effectively complete the risk assessment that informs their response. For example, if a child had learning disabilities, and so was more vulnerable to harm, they would be considered at higher risk.

When a child returns
 
Think about how to respond appropriately. Try not to apportion blame – seek to understand what it might be like to be in their shoes and establish what might prevent a further missing episode.
 
What do you observe when they return: are they intoxicated (either through drink and/or drugs); are they wearing different clothes; are there any signs that they have been given money, phones, etc.? Are they tired? Do they have physical injuries?

It is the statutory responsibility of the local authority to ensure each missing child receives an Independent Return Home Interview, but they are sometimes delivered by a third sector partner. It’s important that education settings familiarise themselves with local safeguarding partnership protocols and procedures in relation to missing children. 

Early action – offer the child or young person the chance to discuss their situation and how they feel. This may help them open up and ask for help. 

Create a safeguarding culture - ensure children and young people feel secure and able to express their emotions and concerns, where they know they will be listened to, and can ask for the help they need.

Be proactive and robust when addressing any bullying and child-on-child abuse concerns reported in your setting, including those featuring sexual harassment and or sexual violence.

Children with additional needs and those who are known to social care services may require additional support and a targeted action plan, developed with their input, to help them feel empowered and build confidence in the setting’s ability to meet their individual needs.

Building partnerships with parents and carers

When working with parents and carers, practitioners should prioritise a child-centred approach, fostering partnerships to ensure understanding, support and safety. 

Remember:

• Collaborative efforts are crucial, especially in cases of suspected harm.
• Practitioners must engage effectively with diverse families, demonstrating empathy, respect and cultural awareness. 
• Communication should be clear, inclusive and accessible. Encouraging parental/carer involvement in decision-making and valuing their input is essential. 
• Involving families and communities in designing processes fosters a holistic approach to safeguarding children. 
• Continuous reflection and adaptation based on feedback from parents and carers enhance practice effectiveness.
• Have you considered if:
  
  - parents and carers understand the importance of reporting missing from home incidents to the police in a timely manner? 
  
  - parents and carers need more support to understand and trust the role of the police and other services?
  
  - exploitation is a factor when missing incidents occur and ensured that parent/carer views are considered clearly when completing any exploitation risk assessments and referrals?
  
  - you should address push factors for a child at home during discussions with parents/carers and that referrals to support them are considered in a timely manner?