Missing

The London Child Protection Procedures define a child as missing if their whereabouts are unknown, whatever the circumstances of their disappearance. 

Islington Safeguarding Children Partnership, including Local Authority, Police, Health services and all partner agencies should adopt the following safeguarding principles in relation to identifying and locating children who go missing:

• The safety and welfare of the child is paramount;
• Locating and returning the child to a safe environment is the main objective;
• Child protection procedures will be initiated whenever there are concerns that a child, who is missing, may have suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.
• Children/young people missing from education are also at risk of harm.

Whatever the reason children/young people go missing, running away is often a sign that something is wrong in the child’s or young person’s life and a response must be made quickly.

If a child/young person goes missing you must contact the police and make an immediate referral to Children’s Services Contact Team, 020 7527 7400, csctreferrals@islington.gov.uk.

Definitions:

• Missing: ‘Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established and where the circumstances are out of character, or the context suggests the person may be subject of crime or at risk of harm to themselves or another'.

• Missing From Home: A child whose whereabouts cannot be established - where the circumstances are out of character or there are indicators to suggest that the child may be at risk of harm to themselves or others.

• Missing from Care: Includes children who have run away (missing) and/or have been removed from care by an adult (missing). A child where the circumstances are out of character or there are indicators to suggest the child may be at risk of harm to themselves or others (including additional concerns regarding criminal or sexual exploitation, serious youth violence, radicalisation, FGM, forced marriage etc.) should be considered ‘missing’ if their whereabouts are unknown (reasonable professional judgement).

• Away from Placement without Authorisation: A looked after child whose whereabouts is known but who is not at their placement where they are expected to be, and the carer has concerns or the incident has been notified to the local authority or the police. If a looked after child is considered ‘away from placement without authorisation’ then the carer or social worker (as appropriate) should work to ascertain the wellbeing of the child through visiting the location and contacting the child. If there are additional concerns that the child may be at risk of significant harm, police should be notified, and action taken to address the risk.

National Guidance

• Read the government’s guidance on missing from home or care here.

Wider Resources

• Visit the London Child Protection Procedures website for up to date advice