Missing children

Missing from home or care

It is vital that parents and carers report their child as missing if their whereabouts are unknown. All professionals should encourage parents to report children missing if they have taken reasonable steps to try to locate their child e.g. made attempts to contact them, called friends or family, visiting areas they frequent, and still don’t know where they are.

Children who are missing from home are unhappy, vulnerable and may be at risk of harm as a consequence of their need for food and shelter or from the people with whom they come into contact. Risks can include physical harm, sexual and criminal exploitation, drug abuse, and involvement in a range of other criminal activities. These risks apply whether the child is missing from their own family home or where children become missing while they are looked after by the local authority. The primary consideration is the welfare of the child and their safe recovery.

If a child goes missing the PAN CHESHIRE MISSING FROM HOME PROTOCOL 2023-2024 must be followed.

For more information and access to the necessary forms, including return home interview guidance please refer to the Pan-Cheshire Missing Children Procedures Children and Young People who Run Away or go Missing from Home and Care (proceduresonline.com)

Resources

Railway Children Charity have created a downloadable education pack aimed at teachers and youth professionals.  All of the resources have been developed in line with PSHE Association guidance and have been assessed and awarded the PSHE Quality Mark. Each corresponds to a Key Stage 2, 3 or 4 lesson.  The resources are designed to help young people understand the risks of running away, and identify safer alternatives and people who may be able to help them. The pack can be downloaded here www.railwaychildren.org.uk/education 

Children Missing Education

Information and procedures to follow in respect of Children Missing Education