South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board
Missing Protocol
1 I Contents Page No.
1 Introduction 3 . Section 1 – Children and Young People who go missing from home/care 2 Definitions 4 . 3 Responsibilities of parents/carers 5 . 4 Children missing from education 6 . 5 Risk assessment 7 . 6 Police Responsibilities and Powers 8 . 7 Looked after children – informing the police 10 . 8 Reporting procedure to police 11 . 9 Media 12 . 1 The Children & Young People’s Directorate 12 0 social work team response . 1 Missing strategy meetings 13 1 . 1 The return 13 2 . 1 Police safe and well check 14 3 . 1 Return interview 14 4 . 1 Repeat absences 17 5 . 1 Harbouring 18 6 . 1 Information sharing/data collection 18 7 . 1 Finding young people who are not reported 19 8 missing to police
2 Section 2 - Additional guidance for children who are looked after 1 Planning before the event 20 9 . 2 Planning for return if child goes missing 21 0 . 2 Missing during external activity 23 1 . 2 Young people missing subject to Placement 23 2 with Parent Regulations . 2 Missing out of Authority Placements 24 3 .
Section 3 - Families and pregnant women who go missing and cannot be located 2 Responsibilities of agencies 25 4 . 2 Missing strategy meeting 26 5 .
2 Appendix A 6 . 2 (1) Young People missing from home 28 7 . 2 (2) Young people missing from care 29 8 . 2 Appendix B – Missing pro forma 30 9 . 3 Appendix C – Missing behaviour strategy 31 0 . 3 Appendix D – Contact details 33 1 . 3 Appendix E – Signposting and other useful 2 information 35 .
3 1. Introduction
1.1 This protocol applies to all missing children, children missing from education, families and pregnant women who go missing:
Section 1 All children and young people who go missing from home in South Tyneside, including those looked after by South Tyneside local authority (including those placed out of borough) and Children missing from education. Section 2 Additional guidance for children who are looked after Section 3 Families and pregnant women who go missing and cannot be located by agencies
2. Section 1
2.1 Section 1 relates to children and young people who go missing from home/care.
2.2 This protocol defines the roles and responsibilities of the Police, Children & Young People’s Directorate, Schools, Health, and other agencies.
2.3 This protocol should be read as guidance, and as such cannot anticipate every situation, which must be judged on its own merits. The Police, Children Services personnel and parent/carers must use their judgement to take any action that is deemed necessary to protect the safety of the child/young person, based on an assessment of risk for each individual.
2.4 It is paramount that all agencies involved with children young people or families understand the definition of ‘missing ‘’ and the habitual reporting of “unauthorised absences” is discouraged.
2.5 The term “child/young person” is used throughout this document in line with the Children Act 1989 and includes anyone aged 0 – 18 years.
2.6 The term “parent/carers” is used throughout this document to describe those adults responsible for delivering care to children in a range of living arrangements. The term includes parents, foster carers and residential social workers or any other carers employed in residential homes.
2.7 Every “missing” episode should attract proper attention from the professionals involved with the missing person and they must collaborate to ensure a consistent and coherent response is given to the missing person on his/her return.
2.8 Summary flowcharts are available in Appendix A:
Number 1 – Children and young people missing from home; Number 2 – Children missing from care.
4 2.9 Other useful information/publications are located in Appendix D.
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1 Missing
A child or young person who is absent should be classified as missing if one or more of the criteria below apply:
The child’s location is unknown The reason for absence is unknown There is cause for concern for the child because of their age and vulnerability, There is a potential danger to the public They are at imminent risk of being exposed to significant harm; eg sexual exploitation, forced marriage and child trafficking. Where there is evidence to suggest that the child/young person is at risk of being abused through sexual exploitation, trafficking or forced marriage then the appropriate child protection procedures must be followed. There is identified or imminent risk of the child or young person being exposed to significant harm The child or young person poses a risk of significant harm to others There are suspicious circumstances The absence is out of character or unusual behaviour There are indications that the child has already come to harm There are indications that the episode is not a deliberate or careless act There are indications that the child or young person o Is not expected to return within reasonable time limits o Is not staying at homes of others known to them o will not be easily located
A child or young person to whom the above applies must be reported to the police.
4. Definition of unauthorised absence
4.1 Clearly some children absent themselves for a short period and then return and during their absence their whereabouts is known. Sometimes children stay out longer than agreed, either on purpose or accidentally, and may be testing boundaries. This kind of boundary testing is within the range of normal teenage behaviour and not necessarily considered a risk.
4.2 Whether the absence is careless or deliberate, if there is no apparent risk for their immediate safety it may fall within the unauthorised absence category. If a child’s whereabouts are known then they cannot be “missing”.
5 However, unauthorised absences must be carefully monitored as the child may subsequently go missing.
4.3 For example, in some circumstances young people staying with a friend without prior agreement may not be “at risk” and it would be inappropriate to flag this event as a missing incident and report it to the police.
4.4 In situations where a child is absent without permission the first response may be that parents/carers, along with any relevant staff from their responsible authority, which could include the child’s social worker, should act like a responsible parent and take all practical steps to establish the child’s location and to ensure that they return to their placement without delay.
4.5 A child or young person should be categorised as “unauthorised absent” if the criteria below apply:
They have deliberately or carelessly absented themselves; AND They will return of their own accord or they are temporarily staying at the home of a relative, friend or associate, or they are expected to be easily located; AND They are not expected to suffer or cause significant harm whilst absent.
4.6 A child or young person in this category should not routinely be reported to the Police.
4.7 The child/young person's absence must be kept under review and if he/she has not returned within a reasonable period of time, (generally after 8 hours) serious consideration must be given to reporting them as missing. The responsibility for managing this type of absence lies with the parent/carer/staff of the care home or the foster carer.
5. Responsibilities of Parents/Carers
5.1 Parents/Carers (including Local Authority staff) must take all reasonable and practical steps to:
Establish the whereabouts and well-being of the child or young person Determine the level of risk of harm to the child or young person Determine the nature and reasons for absenteeism Ascertain the likely intentions of the child or young person before contacting the police
Actions should include
Search their own premises and immediate locality Make enquiries with other children and young people in the home/school/workplace Make enquiries with other professionals
6 Make enquiries with relatives unless it is considered not in the child or young person’s best interests Consider recent events Telephone/text the child and young person to establish their safety and well-being
All issues/decisions/actions should be fully documented.
5.2 If the child/young person is looked after and is not located as a result of initial enquiries, the parent/carer should as soon as possible inform and if appropriate obtain advice from:
The child/young person’s social worker or team manager; or If out of hours, the local authority “Out of Hours Service” and either the social worker or team manager the next working day.
5.3 For all children the parent/carer should then:
Use and update the risk assessment to assist with identifying whether there is any apparent risk to the child/young person being exposed to significant harm or whether the child/young person poses any apparent risk of significant harm to the well being of the public; and Categorise the child/young person as either unauthorised absent or missing.
6. Children Missing from Education
6.1 Children missing from education are defined as:
Children of compulsory school age who are not on a school role, not placed in alternative provision by a local authority and who are not receiving a suitable education at home.
Also serious consideration must be given to extended holiday leave requests where there is evidence to suggest that a pupil may be taken out of the country for forced marriage, trafficking and sexual exploitation and the relevant safeguarding procedures need to be followed.
When a child is absent from education and it is possible that this is due to harmful behaviour, associations or activity that puts them at risk of harm.
6.2 A child or young person in the above categories should be reported to the Children Missing from Education contact (CME), Police and Children’s Services as a missing child if they meet the missing definitions.
6.3 Children who on a school role and who do not attend regularly will be referred to the education support service and absences followed up in
7 accordance with policy and best practice in managing school attendance and the partnership agreement with the school.
7. Risk Assessment
7.1 In assessing the significance of any child’s absence a risk assessment must be conducted.
7.2 Where a child is missing, relevant staff from the Local Authority and Police must consider the above definitions and take into consideration the factors listed below, when assessing risk:
The legal status of the person eg Care Order, Emergency Protection Order, Remanded, Curfew Conditions etc., Residence Orders etc Previous behaviour patterns (such as a history of absence and quick return). The child’s state of mind/perceived risk. (Is child likely to self-harm or commit suicide? Does child see risks in a balanced way?) Group behaviour at the time of the absence. Whether the young person is perceived as running to someone or running from a situation or wishing to make contact with parents/family members when in a managed contact situation. Any physical or learning disabilities the child may have which increase the risk to them. Is the child vulnerable due to age or impairment or any other factor? Is the child suspected to be the victim of a significant crime in progress, eg abduction, forced marriage etc? Are there family /relationship problems or recent history of family conflict, including domestic abuse? Does the missing person have any physical illness, disability or mental health problems? Are they in the company of a person who may cause them harm? Do they require essential medication that is not likely to be available? Is there ongoing bullying or harassment, e.g. racial, sexual, homophobic or local community concerns and/or cultural issues? Do they pose a threat of harm to others? Is there drug or alcohol dependency Any other particular circumstances at the time of the incident influencing the risk assessment
7.3 As a minimum requirement the risk assessment should be reviewed every eight hours and the level of prevailing risk agreed by parent/carers and other professionals responsible for that young person’s health, safety and well being.
8 7.4 Categories of risk
High risk
The risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds for believing that the child or young person is in danger through their own vulnerability or may have been the victim of a serious crime, or
The risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds for believing that the public is in danger.
Medium risk
The risk posed is likely to place the child or young person in danger or they are a threat to themselves or others.
Low risk
There is no apparent threat of danger to either the child or young person or the public.
Important: The assessment of risk is a dynamic process and should be reconsidered and challenged at every point during a child or young person’s absence and be informed by previous information and behavioural patterns.
8. Police responsibilities and powers
8.1 Police will investigate all cases falling within the “missing” definition and will respond in accordance with the Northumbria Police Missing Person policy and procedure, keeping a record on the appropriate missing person report/computer system.
9 8.2 The table below sets out the definition of each category and what each category means in terms of operational response:
DEFINITION OF RISK OPERATIONAL RESPONSE HIGH RISK This category will attract silver command (Duty Supt The risk posed is immediate, and there or CIM) and requires the immediate deployment of are substantial grounds for believing police resources. The Duty Superintendent must be that the missing person is in danger involved in the examination of initial enquiry lines through their own vulnerability or may and approval of appropriate staffing levels and have been the victim of a serious crime, allocation of ownership. Such cases will always or have allocated a named investigating officer. There The risk posed is immediate and there should be a press/media strategy and/or close are substantial grounds for believing contact with outside agencies. that the missing person presents a danger to the public MEDIUM RISK This category requires an active and measured The risk posed is likely to place the response by police and other agencies in order to missing person in danger or they are a trace the missing person and support the person threat to themselves or others. reporting. LOW RISK In addition to recording the information on the PNC, There is no apparent threat of danger to the police will advise the person reporting the the missing person or the public. disappearance that following basic enquiries and unless circumstances change, further active enquiries will not be carried out by the police. Low risk missing persons, however, must be kept under review as risk can increase with the passage of time.
8.3 A child under the age of 16 will not be assessed as being of low risk.
8.4 If a child/young person has been assessed as at medium or high risk of sexual exploitation they should not be categorised as unauthorised absent overnight UNLESS there is something different about this particular absence that decreases the risk.
8.5 Children’s Services will work collaboratively with police during any enquiry, to locate a missing child. When the police locate a child reported as missing, the Police will return the child to parent/carer/placement. In some instances it may be inappropriate to return a child to their home or placement, e.g. forced marriage issues, and in all such cases the police will contact the relevant Children’s Services Duty Team for an evaluation of their safety.
8.6 Parents and carers should recognise that they are responsible for children and young people in their care and this responsibility remains even after they have reported a child or young person missing. It is essential that when and if a child is returned to a carer/placement or children’s home that the return is documented.
8.7 Staff in all organisations concerned should avoid dismissing the potential risk to children/young people simply because they persistently run away.
10 8.8 Police powers
8.8.1 Police powers are limited and difficulties can arise when missing children or young people are found but do not want to return to their home or placement. In some instances it may be inappropriate to return a child to their home or placement, in all such cases police will contact the relevant social work team or Out of Hours Service.
8.8.2 Under the Children Act 1989, where there is reasonable cause to believe that a child or young person could suffer significant harm, the police can take that child or young person into Police Protection and remove them to suitable accommodation which could include the home from which the child or young person originally went missing.
8.8.3 The police are not given the power to use force to take a child or young person into police protection but reasonable force may be used to prevent a child or young person suffering significant harm.
8.8.4 Where Police Protection is taken Police will inform the Local Authority via the local Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) during office hours, or the Out of Hours Service will be contacted.
8.8.5 Any child or young person who is unlawfully at large from a secure unit or penal establishment may be arrested and returned by police.
8.8.6 If the child or young person is on remand without conditions, the police will return the child or young person to the designated placement. If the child or young person is on remand with conditions (eg curfew) they will be detained and brought before a court.
8.8.7 In all cases, police will inform Children’s Services of all children who are reported missing within 1 working day, by a child concern notification (CCN).
8.8.8 The police will also inform the single point of contact for missing children within the Local Authority.
8.9 Looked after children - Informing the Police
8.9.1 Whenever a child goes missing from a children’s home or foster placement then the foster carer or the manager on duty in a children’s homes must ensure that the following individuals and agencies are informed
the parents or those who have parental responsibility the Social Worker or Team Manager the Out of Hours Service, if out of hours.
8.9.2 If the absence is considered to fall within the definition of “missing” the carer or other responsible person must inform the local police without delay. If the location of the child is known, the matter should not be
11 reported to the police as a missing person unless the reason for the absence is unknown and there is a risk of harm to the young person.
8.9.3 If the absence is considered to fall within the definition of “unauthorised absence” the carer should seek the views of other professionals responsible for that young person’s health, safety and well-being and continually review the status of the child or young person.
8.9.4 If the absence continues for an extended period of time consideration must be given as to whether the absence should fall within the definition of “missing”.
8.9.5 It remains entirely a matter of professional judgement - taking into account all known factors and the views of other professionals - as to when an “unauthorised absence” (which will not be reported to police) has gone on too long and the child or young person’s absence should be reported to the police as a missing person.
8.9.6 Any case of an absent child or young person which causes significant concern or the circumstances give rise to suspicion that the child or young person is at risk of significant harm, should be brought to the attention of the relevant manager and the police as soon as possible.
8.10 Reporting procedure to police
Once a decision has been made to report the absence of a child or young person the parent/carer should contact the police using the non- emergency telephone number.
The parent/carer, in consultation with other professionals responsible for the young person’s health, safety and well-being, must be explicit when reporting an episode to the police so that the level of perceived risk to the child or young person is clear from the outset. This will determine the level of police response. The parent/carer will be given a unique reference number which should be retained and used in any future contact with the police.
8.10.1 Information to be made available
When reporting to the police the following minimum information is required:
1. Description of the child or young person including their clothing 2. Details of where the child or young person was last seen and with whom 3. Recent photograph 4. Relevant addresses 5. Known associates and addresses frequented 6. Personal details of the child or young person 7. Previous history of absenteeism and circumstances of where found
12 8. Circumstances under which the child or young person is absent 9. Any factors which increase the risk to the child or young person 10. Name of the staff member completing the risk assessment and/or the search of the home and locality 11. Length of time absent
8.11 Media
8.11.1 The police have responsibility for considering whether to inform the media regarding missing children/young people to assist in locating that individual and warning the public if that individual poses a significant threat.
8.11.2 However decisions to publicise will only be taken after discussions have taken place between the responsible police officer of at least inspector rank and the responsible local authority assistant head of service and the head of communications for the council. These individuals will agree a media strategy
8.11.3 If looked after, the Social Worker should consult relevant family members. Wherever possible, there should be an appropriate time-scale to enable those with parental responsibility to be informed and forewarned so that the first they hear of the child/young person being missing is not through the media presentation.
8.11.4 Unless it is necessary, the child/young person will not be identified as a child/young person in care.
8.11.5 Senior police personnel will decide, again following consultation with the responsible local authority assistant head of service, whether or not to inform MISSING PEOPLE (formerly the National Missing Persons Helpline) or whether to post the child details and photograph onto the UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE. Such action will undertaken in accordance with Northumbria Police protocols and each case will be judged on its individual circumstances following careful risk assessment.
9. The Children and Young People’s Directorate Responsible Social Work Teams
9.1 On receipt of the CNN the social worker must complete a “missing pro forma” (Appendix B) for each missing child and send to the Safeguarding Manager/LADO immediately.
9.2 It this involves an out of hours situation the “missing pro forma” should be completed as fully as possible by the out of hours worker and then followed up by the allocated social worker.
13 10. Missing Strategy Meetings
10.1 Most children will return safely, however, once a child/young person has been missing for over 5 consecutive days or causes significant concern due to risk factors, the director of children’s services should be notified at the earliest opportunity. A multi-agency meeting should be held to review the action taken up to that point and ensure that all possible steps are being taken to locate the child/young person. A strategy to locate the child/young person should be developed and a combined response agreed. It will be the responsibility of the allocated social worker to arrange such a meeting.
10.2 The meeting should be attended by:
the team manager and/or the social worker; the South Tyneside Area Command Chief Inspector Operations nominee; other relevant staff representatives from the authority where the child/young person is living; fostering team social worker or residential key worker and homes manager; and parents/foster carers/carers if appropriate.
10.3 This meeting will: review the action taken so far; identify what action now needs to be taken and timescales; and agree an appropriate strategy for the young person including interviewing the child/young person and returning them to their placement.
10.4 If the child/young person has been missing for 14 days, the South Tyneside Area Command detective chief inspector and the Head of Safeguarding should jointly review the case on a regular basis
10.5 Whilst the young person remains absent from care their case should remain “live” until they are located and their well being verified. This will be especially relevant for accommodated young people who reach the age of 16 or young people subject of a care order who reach the age of 18. In such circumstances the case should be reviewed regularly by the relevant head of service.
11. The Return
11.1 Notification:
11.1.1 If the child/young person returns or is located, all individuals who have previously been notified of the absence should be advised of the return without delay.
14 11.1.2 For each missing episode the social worker will assess the information relating to the missing episode. Consideration must be given to risk factors and the need for further assessment and services if appropriate. The social worker will determine follow up action.
11.1.3 This will involve:
telephone contact with the family to determine support services: offer of an independent return interview home visit assessment – CAF to be negotiated with partner agencies social work assessment initial core assessment or if necessary child protection enquires.
11.1.4 A missing behaviour strategy must be completed for all children who repeatedly go missing –on more than 2 episodes (See Appendix C)
11.1.5 The social worker must complete the return details on the missing pro forma
detailing the safe and well check has been completed by the police specifying what contact has been made with the family and the young person who will be conducting a return interview what ongoing risk and concerns have been identified what assessment /work services are to be offered
11.2 Police “Safe and Well Check”
11.2.1 The Police will conduct a safe and well check for all children when they return from a missing episode. The purpose of the check will be to gather intelligence about the missing episode and it serves to confirm the identity of the child and that they have returned. If the child makes an allegation of crime that occurred whilst they were missing or that contributed to him/her running away, the Police will record this allegation and take appropriate action.
11.3 Return interview
11.3.1 Return interviews will be conducted, where appropriate, by an independent organisation for every instance of running where a child has:
been missing for over 24 hours been missing on two or more occasion engaged (or believed to have engaged) in criminal activities during their absence been hurt or harmed whilst they have been missing (or this is believed to be the case) known mental health issues
15 known risk of sexual exploitation or contact with persons posing risk to children
11.3.2 South Tyneside Churches’ KEY Project offers a prevention of homelessness service, which includes free mediation for young people and their families. One of the Prevention of Homelessness Workers at the KEY Project is available to act as an independent person for this purpose. Contact details are available in Appendix D.
11.3.3 Any information obtained during the return interview that may affect any future risk assessment or may assist in finding the child/young person should they go absent again, should be exchanged between the police and the local authority.
11.3.4 The purpose of the return interview will be to:
Seek an understanding of the young person’s motivation for going missing and consider if further assessment work is required eg CAF/initial assessment. Assess the risks to which they may have been exposed whilst missing; Explore and advocate for the young person’s current and future wishes; If a looked after child, to liaise with the Team Manage regarding the appropriateness of the current care plan; and Explore with the young person positive alternative options to going missing in the future, so that if the same motivation/situation arises they have considered what action to take instead of leaving the placement.
11.4 Staff in all organisations concerned should avoid dismissing the potential significance of repeated absenteeism. Often such individuals are immediately labelled as a problem and insufficient consideration is given to why they persistently absent themselves.
11.5 Where children do run away from their home or care their needs should be assessed and assessment completed (eg CAF, initial or core assessments) addressing the risk of running away and identifying a risk management strategy to minimise missing episodes.
The assessment should consider
Risk factors Likelihood of the child or young person going missing Previous episodes Trigger incidents Risk of harm/vulnerability of the child or young person Risk of harm posed by the child or young person to others The child or young person’s view of placement The child or young person’s view of going missing and the associated risks Views of parents/relatives/carers of the child or young person’s needs
16 External influences Risks associated with addresses/locations frequented by the child or young person The likelihood of the child or young person being harboured Recent photograph Description of the child or young person Dependency on drugs or alcohol Relationship status eg boyfriend, peer groups etc.
11.6 In particular there should be an assessment as to whether a young person is running away from or to something or someone. Such an assessment will impact on the risk such incidents pose to a young person and underline that persistent running away needs to be explored, particularly at the time of the post-return interviews.
11.7 All suspicions in respect of grooming at addresses frequented by young runaways should be brought to the immediate attention of the detective inspector within the South Tyneside Public Protection Unit.
11.8 When a looked after child/young person who has been unauthorised absent is located, they too should be given the opportunity to talk to someone independent about their absence. This person will usually be the young person’s social worker but in certain circumstances this may be the fostering support worker. They should conduct a return interview with the child/young person as soon as possible unless detrimental to the welfare of the individual.
11.9 In addition to this, the young person could also be offered the opportunity to speak to one of the Prevention of Homelessness workers at South Tyneside Churches’ KEY Project.
11.10 Consideration should also be given to involving appropriate agencies who may have a good relationship with the young person to conduct the return interview eg Connexions
11.11 This interview should take place within 72 hours of the child or young person’s return. Information gathered as part of the return interview should be shared with children’s services, police and other professionals working with the child.
11.12 Where any allegation of physical or sexual abuse is made or becomes evident, local child protection procedures must be implemented.
11.13 If there is evidence that a child or young person has been a victim or perpetrator of crime, consideration must be given to securing evidence by the Police, including forensic examination (with appropriate consent). It is essential to recognise that the welfare of the child or young person is paramount and careful consideration should be given to the potential effects of the procedures on the child or young person.
17 11.14 Where children are in local authority care the social worker and line manager should decide whether they should convene a planning meeting to discuss missing episodes. The independent reviewing officer must be contacted to determine the need for a brought forward statutory review and to review the updated risk assessment and child’s care plan.
12. Repeat absences
12.1 If a child or young person repeatedly goes missing (more than 2 occasions) or causes specific concerns due to risk factors when missing, a multi-agency meeting should be held to develop a missing behaviour strategy (Appendix C) to prevent future missing events and reduce the risk of harm to the child or young person should they go missing again.
12.2 The purpose of the strategy meeting is to formulate a missing behaviour strategy. The meeting should
agree and record a pre-risk assessment agree a reporting strategy review the current home/placement and status of the child or young person recommend the minimum enquiries to be undertaken by o Parents/carers o Children’s Services o Police agree an appropriate return strategy consider appropriate interventions to address the long term issues
12.3 An action plan to bring about behaviour change should be put in place, and regularly reviewed for its effectiveness. Research has shown that there is no developing pattern in which the risks to a young person escalate the more often that they run away. Short absences may present the same risk as longer ones and should be viewed with equal seriousness and urgency.
12.4 The assessment of the risk that a young person might run way again should be based on information about their:
individual circumstances, including family circumstances motivation for running possible destination recent pattern of absences (if any) emotional wellbeing
12.5 It is not the number of previous absences but the particular information about what happened when the young person was away from home that indicates the level of risk that they might face should they go missing again.
18 12.6 Consideration should be given to carrying out a new assessment or updating current assessments every time a young person runs away. The focus should be on “why” and what can we do to prevent this. Repeat runaways should be viewed with as much concern as children who run away for the first time. The persistence of this behaviour would suggest at least that the action following from earlier assessments should be reviewed and alternative options considered.
13. Harbouring
Vulnerable children and young people, who abscond or go missing, risk placing themselves at additional risk of harm. It is frequently the case that parents, foster carers or social workers know where the young person is staying but feel powerless to prevent the adult in question from harbouring the child because there is no proof of a crime being committed against the child. If this is the case then a police check of the known adult should be requested. Should there be any concerns re the adult then Police assistance can be requested.
14. Information Sharing and data collection
14.1 Information will be shared on a regular basis between the Police and Children’s Services to enable them to identify patterns where a child has:
gone missing on 2 or more occasions has been involved as a victim or perpetrator in criminal behaviour whilst missing known mental health issues known risk of sexual exploitation known risk of contact with persons posing risk to children incidents that have generated assessments of needs via Common Assessment Framework, S47, or S17 of the Children Act 1989 known use of involvement in drug and alcohol related behaviour has a history of offending.
14.2 Aggregate data about the profile of running away in the area will be collated between police, children’s services and other partner agencies and shared on a frequency to be negotiated locally. This will allow the LSCB to identify:
Incidences of running away Individuals who have run away Individuals who have run away on more than 2 occasions Incidents that have generated a case conference or professionals meeting Children’s homes that have particularly high levels of missing report in relation to other homes in the area Areas where missing young people are frequently located
19 The proportion of young people who are hurt or harmed whilst they are away The proportion of young people who have committed an offence whilst they are away Adults who groom children and young people.
14.3 Information will be broken down by:
child’s age gender ethnicity missing from home missing from care whether the child is an out of area placement
14.4 The data will be regularly reviewed and analysed by the LSCB and will inform a proactive response to running and patterns of running in the local area.
15. Finding young people who are not reported missing to Police
When young people are located in circumstances where identified risk factors are evident, but have not been reported missing to the police by their families or carers, further investigation may be warranted. It may be necessary to consider police protection and enquire into whether there are any continuing child protection concerns, or whether the young person and their family or carers should be offered family support services. Information will be shared via a child concern in such circumstances. Best practice dictates that all children in the above circumstances should have a CAF completed.
20 Section 2
Additional Guidance for Children who are Looked After
1. Planning before the event – in the case of Looked after Children
1.1 The respective social worker has responsibility for ensuring a risk assessment is completed with the child or young person when the child is placed in a children’s home or with foster carers. This risk assessment should be completed as part of any placement plan. The risk assessment should consider the child/young person’s propensity to go missing, the risk of abduction from their placement and the risk the child/young person might face as a consequence.
1.2 It is recognised that in emergency or unplanned placements, that the placement plan including the risk assessment, is unlikely to have been completed within the first 72 hours. However, all available information should be given at the time of placement.
1.3 This is to enable appropriate decision making by professionals and carers if the child/young person goes missing. They can subsequently take into account all of the circumstances relevant to the child/young person’s absence.
1.4 The assessment should consider the following:
Risk factors The likelihood of the child/ young person going missing; Any previous episodes/ pattern of absence; What may act as a trigger incident; The risk of harm to the child/young person and his/her vulnerability if absent; The risk of harm posed to individuals, specific groups or the wider public if the child/young person is absent; The child/young person’s view of their placement; The child/young person’s view about going missing and the potential risk; The views of parents, relatives, carers in respect of the needs of the child/young person and the action that needs to be taken if they present as absent; The level of supervision/support from staff or foster carers that the young person requires; Any external influences which may result in a child/young person's removal without consent; The risks inherent at addresses/places the child/young person frequents or has previously been located at; and The likelihood of the child/young person being harboured.
21 1.5 Two recent photographs of the child/young person (face and full body length) should be retained by the carer of Looked after Children for “missing from home” purposes. Digital photographs are preferable and they should be regularly updated. If these are obtained post-placement, careful consideration should be given as to how these photos are taken so as not to stigmatise the child. Unless it is in the best interests of the welfare of the young person, the photographs should not be used for any other purpose without the young person’s consent.
1.6 Efforts should be made to minimise the risk of the child/young person absenting themselves, as follows.
1.7 The child/young person should be given clear information at the time of placement about:
times of going out and returning; who to inform about where they are going; appropriate telephone numbers to enable them to inform carers about their whereabouts; an assurance that they can ring at any time and that staff will treat them positively and sensitively; their contact arrangements with families and friends; and how to seek help if they are unable to get back for the agreed time, whether this has happened accidentally or on purpose.
1.8 Carers should help children/ young people to understand that they are vulnerable and potentially at risk when missing. They should be signposted to relevant agencies and be in possession of appropriate helpline numbers if they are identified as having a propensity to go missing.
1.9 The child/young person should be informed of the action that will be taken by the carer and police if they are missing.
1.10 The risk assessment should be reviewed as part of child-care reviewing processes.
1.11 It is of paramount importance that when a child/young person has been missing that their respective care plan is revisited, the causes of the episode identified and remedial action taken to prevent reoccurrence. The responsibility for this lies with the respective social worker, line manager and residential staff/carer.
2. Planning for return if looked after child goes missing
When a child or young person is located, police, parents, social workers and any other person informed of the child or young person’s absence should be notified without delay.
The missing pro forma must be completed with details of return.
22 2.1 Collection of the child/young person
2.1.1 For looked after children the general principle is that the children’s services for the area from where the child is missing will be responsible for recovering the child or young person and returning that individual to their home or placement, unless the child is located by police. In some instances it may be inappropriate to return a child to their home or placement and in all such cases police will contact the child’s social worker or out of hours service for an evaluation of their safety.
2.1.2 If there are specific and identified issues of safety or public order associated with returning that child or young person then a co-ordinated approach to recover the child or young person should be agreed with the police.
2.1.3 Each social services team manager should develop contingency plans as soon as possible to ensure that they have sufficient resources available at all times in order to fulfil this obligation.
2.1.4 The police should not leave the child/young person at a location where they are likely to be exposed to the risk of harm or where they are likely to go missing again prior to Children Services being able to make arrangements to recover them.
2.1.5 On occasions the police may need to consider returning the child/young person direct to their home/placement, or consider taking them to a local police station after confirming a collection time with Children Services.
2.2 If the child/young person refuses to co-operate
2.2.1 If there is concern that the child/young person is at risk of significant harm the police should work with children services to protect the individual. In such circumstances consideration should be given to taking the child/young person into Police Protection or applying for an Emergency Protection Order or Recovery Order under the Children Act 1989.
2.2.2 If the child/young person is not at risk of significant harm and:
Is under 16 or is subject to a court order, the police and the appropriate manager from children services will liaise to discuss what action should be taken to safeguard the child/young person's welfare. Is over 16 and not subject to a court order, they are legally entitled to leave home and decide where they want to live with their parent's permission. If they refuse to return to their placement there should be a formal review of their care plan at the earliest opportunity.
2.2.3 Where the young person is over 16 years of age and “looked after”, the police will notify the local authority of the whereabouts of the young person even if this is not what the young person wishes.
23 2.2.4 If a child/young person is categorised as missing, the appropriate team manager in consultation with social workers, parents and police as appropriate, should commence contingency planning for when they are found. Consideration must be given to:
who is the most appropriate person to conduct the return interview; and arrangements which need to be made to escort the child/young person and support them once they have been found.
3. Missing during external activity
3.1 If a child/young person absents themselves whilst outside the South Tyneside local authority area, the carer in charge of the external activity or holiday will:
Arrange a search of the area where the child/young person went absent; and Notify the local police for that area.
3.2 The respective police force covering the area where the child/young person went missing in consultation with Northumbria Police will decide which force will take responsibility for managing the investigation. This will normally be the police force that covers the area where the majority of enquiries are likely to be conducted. The police will notify the relevant Social Services Team Manager of their decision.
3.3 The social worker/manager or “out of hours” worker will be responsible for ensuring the general procedures in relation to a missing child/young person are complied with.
3.4 The foster carer or unit manager and the person in charge of the external activity or holiday will make a joint decision within 24 hours of the absence whether the rest of the party should return home.
3.5 If they do return home, ongoing communication must be maintained between the social worker and the police force responsible for managing the missing person enquiry.
4. Young People Missing Subject to Placement with Parents Regulations
4.1 A child/young person living at home and subject to the “Placement with Parents” Regulations is still looked after by the local authority as the care order or interim care order is still in force.
4.2 In such circumstances, it is the responsibility of the parent to inform the social worker, manager or “out of hours service” when it is evident that the child/young person has gone missing from the placement. This
24 responsibility should be discussed with the parents before the placement is agreed and it must be part of the placement agreement.
4.3 The Children’s Services Manager who approved the placement should also be informed of the incident at the earliest opportunity.
4.4 The missing pro forma should be completed, outlining the missing episode’s circumstances and outcome of the return interview with the child/young person.
4.4.1 The circumstances surrounding such occurrences should be considered in respect of further such placements particularly if it is evident that parental care is absent during the placement.
5. Missing from Out of Authority placements
5.1 An out of authority placement is a placement of a child/young person by one local authority:
In a residential home that is located in another local authority area, or With foster parents who live in another local authority area.
5.2 Before a child/young person is placed in an out of authority placement, the social worker should ensure that the agency responsible for the residential home has agreed to comply with this protocol.
5.3 The agency should contact the team manager or out of hours service as soon as it is confirmed that the child/young person is missing from their care. The appropriate children’s assistant head of service should be informed the next working day and regularly updated as to the situation.
5.4 The social worker must complete the missing pro forma and send to the Safeguarding Manager/LADO and update the information on the child’s return.
5.5 The social worker should make any necessary enquiries to clarify the reasons why the young person went missing and to plan how best to minimise the chances of this occurring in the future.
25 Section 3
Families and Pregnant Women who go Missing and cannot be Located
1. Responsibilities of Agencies
1.1 Education
Head teachers should inform the education welfare officer (EWO) about any child/young person who has not attended school for ten days without provision of reasonable explanation. The EWO should make active enquiries, such as home visit, liaison with Children and Young People’s Directorate and other agencies in an attempt to confirm the child/young persons whereabouts.
1.2 Health Where a health professional has concerns regarding a child/young person/unborn baby’s welfare and the child/young person/family/ pregnant woman is missing, active enquiries - 10 days - should be made with the General Practitioner/Health Visitor/School Nurse to ascertain their whereabouts. Discussions should take place with a manager and/or the designated nurse for child protection (DNCP).
1.3 Other Agencies
1.3.1 Any other agencies involved with children and young people who have concerns about a child/young person/unborn whose whereabouts are unknown should make reasonable enquiries to determine the whereabouts prior to making a referral to the Children & Young People’s Directorate
1.3.2 If the whereabouts are not determined after active enquiries, agencies need to refer their concerns to the Children & Young People’s Directorate. Every case of a missing child/young person/pregnant woman must be considered for referral to the Children and Young People’s Directorate for initial assessment of need and, if necessary, child protection.
1.4 Notifications and Actions by the Children & Young People’s Directorate-Social worker
1.4.1 The social worker receiving the information must complete the missing pro forma and send it to the Safeguarding Manager/LADO.
1.4.2 The Safeguarding Manager/LADO and CP List Administrator at the Children’s Standards Unit must be informed if the child/young person or unborn baby is subject to a child protection plan.
26 1.4.3 If the child/young person is the subject of court proceedings or a court order, legal services must be informed.
1.4.4 The social worker will contact all relevant agencies/professionals, including Education and Health to clarify the situation to ensure all reasonable steps have been taken to locate child/young person and to seek any further information, which may assist in the search.
1.4.5 The designated nurse for child protection should be informed about the missing child/young person or pregnant woman. S/he will inform the named nurses for the PCTs and NHS Trusts in the area. The named nurses will inform key professionals within their trusts.
1.4.6 The designated education welfare officer for child protection (or equivalent) should be informed and are to ensure liaison with relevant colleagues.
1.4.7 Existing records in all agencies must be checked to obtain any information, which may help to trace the missing child, for example, details of friends and relatives. This information is to be passed to the police officer undertaking the missing person enquiry.
1.4.8 Where notified of a child/young person/pregnant woman or family whose whereabouts have not been established and there are concerns for the safety of the child/children the social worker must inform the police protection unit without delay.
1.4.9 On all occasions, the police protection IT systems should be checked for previous involvement. Police officers should also refer to the ACPO Manual on Missing Persons.
2. Missing Strategy Meeting
2.1 If, following the above, the missing child/young person/pregnant woman/family have not been traced, a missing strategy meeting should be convened within two working days of the Children and Young People’s Directorate being notified that the child/young person/family or pregnant woman is missing.
2.2 The Missing Strategy Meeting must include representatives from the Children and Young People’s Directorate, police, health and any other agency, which has current or recent involvement with the child/young person/family or pregnant woman. The chair will be a senior social worker or team manager from the social work team.
2.3 Members of the meeting must:
Consider whether to circulate other local authorities and agencies in the area(s) in which the child/young person/family/pregnant woman may have gone.
27 Consider whether there should be notification of authorities and agencies including Department for Work and Pensions, the Benefits Agency, Child Benefit Agency, NHS National Intelligence Unit and National Missing Persons’ Helpline. Decide whether assistance should be sought from the Department for Work and Pensions). Consider the need for legal intervention if there is any suspicion that the child or young person may be removed from UK jurisdiction.
2.4 Follow up Children and Young People’s Directorate Action
2.4.1 If the missing strategy meeting agreed that the details of the child/young person/family or pregnant woman are to be circulated to other local authorities/agencies, the key worker/social worker should draft a letter giving details of:
The children in the family their legal status parties with parental responsibility other family members or significant adults whether the child is subject to a child protection plan and if so, the category the circumstances causing concern action required if the child/pregnant woman is found details of contact arrangements for the key worker/social worker, also out of office hours contact arrangements where possible physical descriptions and photographs of the child/young person, pregnant woman and any others involved.
2.4.2 The letter should be sent to the Safeguarding Manager/LADO at the Children’s Standards Unit for distribution to the other Local Authorities in the specified areas, who in turn should circulate within Children’s Services and to local agencies.
2.4.3 The Safeguarding Manager/LADO should inform the Head of the Children and Young People’s Directorate.
2.4.4 Where a missing child is subject to a Child Protection Plan and is not found within 20 days (of initial notification to the Children and Young People’s Directorate) the child protection review must be brought forward to consider whether any other action should be taken.
2.4.5 Further strategy meetings should be held on a fortnightly basis until the family/pregnant woman is located.
28 APPENDIX A (NUMBER 1)
Example: Young People Missing From Home
Identify Child/Young Person is Missing Parents/ carer/ responsible adult identify time by which the child should be in the address. Parents/ carer/ responsible adult will be expected to make enquiries to locate the missing person with relatives/friends. This should include searches of the residence and local area if the child or young person is not located.
Report to Police Parents/carer/responsible adult should telephone police with details of the missing person:
Details Required: Childs name/D.O.B./Where, when and who missing with?/What child was last wearing/Description of young person/Recent photo/Medical History/Time & Location last seen/circumstances of going missing /details of friends and associates
Police
Officers conduct a Risk Assessment which will form the basis for resulting proportionate actions. Enquiries are then ongoing. Sharing of information between the Police, Parents and other agencies as appropriate
MISSING PERSON is located or returns to Home Address
When a missing child is located by family or friends etc, it is their responsibility to return the child to the home address. Where a risk is present, a police officer may accompany the family or the police may be requested to collect and return the child/young person to the place of residence. Parents must inform the police when a child returns of their own accord.
The Police should conduct a Safe and Well check to establish missing persons well being, and safety and to establish whether they were the victim of crime or abuse whilst missing. The Police will refer the child or young person to Children Services and the Safeguarding manager/LADO
29 APPENDIX A (Number 2)
Example: Young People Missing from Care
Unauthorised Absence Missing
Residential Staff/Foster Registered manager of Carers should make Children’s Home or Fostering enquires to locate the Services to be informed the Constantly review UA missing person with next working day status. May need to change relatives/friends. This to Missing should include searches of the accommodation and local area.
Foster Carer/Residential Police Staff should then telephone police with details of the missing person: Details Required: Foster carer/Residential staff to notify Social Worker/Team Childs name manager and contact the D.O.B. safeguarding manager/LADO Where, when who Officers to conduct a Risk missing with? Assessment which will form the basis for resulting proportionate What child was last actions wearing Description of young person Recent photo Medical History Sharing of information Legal Status between the Police, Parents All efforts to locate the child/young person must be and other agencies as Parents to be informed as appropriate recorded and auditable. agreed.
MISSING PERSON is located or returns to the residence
When a missing child is located, unless the circumstances pose a risk to the Residential Staff/Foster Carer, it is the Residential Staff or Foster Carers responsibility to return the child in the first Instance. Where a risk is present, a police officer may be requested to accompany them or the police may be requested to collect and return the child/young person to the place of residence.
Placement staff to inform the social worker and team Foster carer/Residential staff manager of the young person’s to: The Police will conduct a Safe return 1.provide positive non- & Well check to establish the judgemental return missing persons well being, 2.check young persons medical and to establish whether they condition and make necessary were the victim of crime or arrangements abuse whilst missing. Arrangements for return interview to be agreed in consultation with the child
30 APPENDIX B
Pro forma – Missing Children, Young People and Pregnant Women
Date and time last seen Date and time reported to Police Date and time of return Child’s Name
ICS Number
Date of Birth
Age years
Legal Status
Missing from Education Name of School
Home address/placement details and family circumstances when missing Looked After
Child Protection Plan Details of Episode Reason why child went missing. Circumstances of child’s return. Return interview (whereabouts whilst missing; presentation on return). Other Issues Identified risks Significant Contacts Services to be offered. Safeguarding strategies IRO
Social Worker
This form to be completed by Social Workers on notification that a child has been reported missing to the Police (missing from placement, home or Education). Completed form to be sent to [email protected].
31 APPENDIX C
1.0 Missing behaviour strategy
1.1 If a child/young person is known to repeatedly go missing, unauthorised absent or causes specific concern due to risk factors when missing a meeting should be held by children services to develop a 'missing behaviour strategy' to prevent a future reoccurrence and reduce the risks to that child/young person should they go missing again. The 'missing behaviour strategy' should include:
a pre-risk assessment (what risks is the young person likely to be exposed to when missing); a reporting strategy (see below); recommendations on the minimum enquiries to be conducted by the local authority when the young person goes absent; recommendations on the minimum enquiries to be conducted by the police when the young person goes absent; a return interview strategy (see below); and an intervention strategy (details of appropriate interventions to address the long-term issues).
1.2 If another type of child protection meeting has already been organised for another purpose, it is quite possible to address the missing issues at that meeting rather than hold a separate meeting. However, developing a 'missing behaviour strategy' must be a specific agenda item and the six issues detailed above must be discussed and addressed.
1.3 The Missing Behaviour Strategy must be documented by local authority personnel and kept securely with the respective child’s file.
2.0 Reporting strategies 2.1 The reporting strategy should:
Detail those actions that the carer is expected to complete prior to contacting the police; Detail those circumstances that warrant contacting the police immediately; and Provide guidance on when to report a young person as unauthorised absent and when to report them as missing.
3.0 Return interview strategies
3.1 An individual should be identified to conduct all return interviews wherever possible
3.2 A regular missing person should be consulted and the following questions should be considered:
32 Who has already developed a positive relationship, or is most likely to develop a positive relationship, with the missing person? Who would the regular missing person want to fulfil this role? Has that person been trained in conducting return interviews?
3.3 The return interview strategy should be specific to that individual and address their individual needs. It should:
Name the individual who will conduct all the return interviews; Identify alternative arrangements if the named individual is unavailable; Specify time scales for conducting the return interviews; Describe the process of providing a copy of the return interview notes to the police.
3.4 Such decisions must be carefully considered and form part of an agreed 'missing behaviour strategy' that is in the best interests of the missing person. The aim of developing a return interview strategy is to:
Improve the quality of return interviews; Build up relationships and trust between the missing person and the interviewer; Ensure continuity; Maximise the chances of obtaining useful information; Discuss appropriate interventions; and Address the underlying missing behaviour.
33 Appendix D
Contact Details
Prevention of Homelessness Officers, South Tyneside Churches Key Project, Unit 139 and 117 Tedco Business Centre, Rolling Mill Road, Viking Industrial Park, Jarrow, Tyne & Wear, NE32 3DT. Telephone 0191 428 3354
Children’s Duty Team, 38 Laygate Place, South Shields, Tyne & Wear. Telephone 0191 4245010
Out of Hours Service – Telephone 0191 4562093
Supporting Agencies
Missing children cannot be managed effectively by the police service alone. There are a number of statutory and voluntary organisations that play a role in the prevention and management of all missing children.
NATIONAL POLICE IMPROVEMENT AGENCY
Notification to National Police Improvement Agency Missing Persons Bureau must be made in the following circumstances:
all missing persons outstanding after 14 days all foreign nationals missing in the UK or British nationals missing abroad all unidentified bodies or body parts to be notified to NPIA within 48 hours
MISSING PEOPLE (formerly National Missing Persons Helpline)
Missing people (formerly the National Missing Persons Helpline) is a charity dedicated to helping missing people, their families and those who care for them. Missing People receive information from police and other public, private and voluntary organisations, and from individuals. National Missing Person Helpline (NMPH) and police will share information in accordance with the ACPO/NMPH National Data Exchange Protocol of April 2007.
Police and families can contact the 24 hour freephone confidential helpline on 0500 700700.
The views of the carers/parents must be sought before sharing information in high and medium risk cases. The consent of the carer must be obtained before sharing information in low risk cases
34 The views of the carers/parents must be sought before sharing information in high and medium risk cases. The consent of the carer must be obtained before sharing information in low risk cases
UK MISSING KIDS WEB-SITE
The UK Missing Kids Website, http://uk.missingkids.com helps the police to find missing and abducted children. The website enables the police to transmit photographs and information about a missing child to other forces around the UK and abroad.
To improve the likelihood of locating a missing child, police officers may submit cases for entry onto the website, where all of the following criteria are met:
The child was under 18 years when he or she went missing. There are descriptive details and photographs of the child, sufficient to enable identification by a visitor of the website. The SIO believes there will be no risk to the child through placement on the website or associated media campaigns The parent or guardian or the child agrees to the child being featured, OR the SIO believes that it is in the child's best interests to be featured on the site against the parent or guardian's wishes. EITHER the child has just been reported missing and is at extremely high risk OR the child has been missing for over 48 hours and may be at a lower risk.
CHILD RESCUE ALERT
The scheme is intended to be used within tightly defined criteria in relation to the abduction of a child. It is a fast response scheme designed to save a child from harm and should only be used in HIGH risk cases and with the authority of the on call SIO (Detective Superintendent).
The scheme relies on co-ordinated action with the media who will broadcast the alert via radio and TV. The criteria for issuing an alert have to be strict or there is a risk that the public and media will become de-sensitised to them. There are four factors which must be met before a Child Rescue Alert is authorised:
the child is under 18 years of age; there is reasonable belief that the child has been kidnapped or abducted; there is reasonable belief that the child is in imminent danger of serious harm or death (decision by on call SIO Detective Superintendent); there is sufficient information available to enable the public to assist the police in locating the child.
The alert will normally be enforced for a maximum of four hours but this could be extended by up to two hours if authorised by the on call SIO.
Alerts should be cancelled at the conclusion of their use.
35 36 APPENDIX E
Signposting – other useful information
The following information and guidance may be useful in helping to support Young Runaways:
The Young Runaways Action Plan published in June 2008 outlines the Government’s commitments to improving services for Young Runaways and can be found at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/publications/runaways/.
Collecting the right data is essential to driving improvements at a local level. From April 2009 a new indicator will be included in the National Indicator Set (NIS) specifically about young people who run away from home or care.
The Staying Safe Action Plan (2008) provides more detail on what the Government will do to ensure children and young people are safe, and feel safe. It can be found at http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/stayingsafe/
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006) is the main interagency guidance on procedures for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/resources-and- practice/IG00060/
The Government has published guidance on Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation. This will be updated following publication.
The child victims’ chapter of the UK Action Plan on Human Trafficking (March 2007) contains a number of detailed actions to assist in the safeguarding of trafficked children. Guidance on safeguarding children who may have been trafficked was published in December 2007.
The NSPCC National Child Trafficking Advice and Information Line (CTAIL) is a new service for anyone with concerns about human trafficking. CTAIL is funded by the Home Office and Comic Relief. The line is based at the NSPCC working in partnership with the Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking). Call free on 0800 107 7057 (lines are open from 9.30am-4.30pm on weekdays) or email [email protected].
Some young people run away because they are at risk of abuse. Forced marriage in particular can lead to young women running away from home. Case workers based at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Forced Marriage Unit can provide assistance when in these circumstances. New statutory guidance on forced marriage was published on 25 November. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/nationals/forced-marriage-unit.
Child Abduction Reunite International is the UK charity specialising in international parental child abduction.www.reunite.org/
37 Online Grooming - In April 2006 the Government launched the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) as a national law enforcement agency focusing on tackling the sexual abuse of children, especially in relation to the internet. CEOP’s principal aim is to identify, locate and safeguard children and young people from harm. Their work includes prevention and harm reduction through their information, education and awareness raising work in schools and through other channels. Since its launch in 2006, 1.7 million children and young people have seen their “Thinkuknow” education programme.
Child Trafficking - Guidance for practitioners on what to do if they encounter a child who may have been trafficked can be found here:
http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/default.aspx? PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=HMG -00994-2007&
Further background relating to child trafficking can be found in a 2007 report by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre here:
http://www.ceop.gov.uk/about/child_trafficking.asp
Young Runaways are particularly vulnerable to drug or alcohol misuse. ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children” recognises the threat to children of living in households where drugs and alcohol are misused. A number of actions are outlined in the Drug Strategy (2008) committing the government to a new support package for families, including safeguarding children of substance misusing parents http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/health/substancemisuse/
Joint guidance published by the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Department of Children, Schools and Families in May 2008 ‘Joint working between Housing and Children’s Services: Preventing homelessness and tackling its effects on children and young people’ (http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/goodpracticeguide) highlights the importance of developing joint protocols and working practices to support young homeless people including those who are homeless through running away. This guidance has an emphasis on care leavers and 16/17 year olds who are considered some of the most vulnerable groups of young people who are made homeless.
The Stepping Up report from The Children’s Society was the pre-curser to the Young Runaway’s Action Plan. It is the most up-to-date research on the subject of missing and runaway children. www.childrenssociety.org.uk/resources/documents/Policy/Stepping_UpThe_Fut ure_For_Young_Runaways_5305.html
38 Helplines
Get Connected - Free confidential helpline for young people under the age of 25yrs. www.getconnected.org.uk/charity.
Phone: 0808 808 4994 (1pm-11pm every day) Email: [email protected] Webchat: www.getconnected.org.uk (7pm-10pm every day)
Missing People - All services are Freefone, confidential and available 24 hours. http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/
Phone: 0500 700 700. 24 hour confidential Freefone service.
Missing People Specialist Services
Runaway Helpline Freefone 0808 800 70 70 (from the UK only) [email protected]
Message Home Freefone 0800 700 740 or email: [email protected]
39