2.1 If a child is being ’looked-after’ by the Social Services Directorate, professionals should refer to their Policy and Procedures manual. In addition professionals and agencies should be aware of the following policy that has been agreed between the Police and Social Services which is designed to ensure that children missing in Care / Accommodated are properly investigated at whatever level and that the enquiry considers the best interest of the child.

2.2 Enquiries on abuse of children living away from home have raised the particular vulnerability of children in residential settings. Any child missing may have been subject of abuse either before or after going missing. Children who have gone missing may have been a witness or victim to other crime, been involved in substance abuse or prostitution or simply associated with undesirable persons.

2.3 Any concern that a child has been subject of child abuse will invoke the agreed child protection procedures.

2.4 Children, under 18 years, who are missing from Care / Accommodated are automatically considered ‘vulnerable’ under national guidelines on missing persons. Vulnerability not only applies to age but also to likely self harm, or where disappearance gives reason to suspect some harm may have befallen them.

2.5 Whilst children from Care / Accommodated are considered vulnerable their absence from a Children’s Home or other accommodation to which they have been placed, either by Court Order or accommodated, will be categorised as follows:

• Unauthorised Absence - Children who absent themselves for a short period and then return, or whose location is known and there is no concern regarding their location or persons they are associating with. No notification will be made to the Police unless the child has been missing for 8 hours or more.
• Missing Person - Children whose location are unknown and there is concern because of their vulnerability because of being out of character, the circumstances, the location and persons they are associated with or because of their own potential danger to the public. Children subject of Secure Accommodation Orders, Emergency Protection Orders, Police Protection Orders will automatically come into this category.
• Absconded - Children subject of accommodation as a result of a Court Order, remanded to Local Authority care or bailed to reside as directed by the Local Authority and in Local Authority accommodation.

2.6 The categorisation and level of risk does not remain static and must be subject to regular and continuous review. Management of the above categories and the risk that is imposed on the child will be as follows:

• Unauthorised Absence - Responsibility lies with the statutory agency and where necessary in liaison with parents / carers to make continuous risk assessment and to establish the child’s whereabouts. Where the location is known, responsibility remains with the statutory agency and or parent / carer to return the child. The child will not be considered a missing person but where there are concerns about public order or safety in returning the child, the Police may be contacted and asked to assist. Children in this category are considered low to medium risk but their risk assessment may be such that they will have to be considered medium to high risk at times.
• Missing Person - A child in this category is considered at high risk and a report will be made to the Police who will record and make enquiries in accordance with their policy and procedures for all missing persons. There must be consultation with the parent / carer as to the action being taken unless this would hamper the missing person enquiry. There should be no undue delay in reporting the matter to the Police especially whilst there is daylight to assist the enquiry. The Police will make available an incident log unique reference number to the person reporting the child as missing.
• Absconder - Children in this category are considered at high risk and will be dealt with in the same manner as missing children above.

2.7 The Police will ensure a child, reported in the ‘Missing person / absconder’ category will be notified to the Force National Computer Bureau and a marker placed on the Police National Computer. If the missing person enquiry has not been resolved after 14 days the Police National Missing Person Bureau will be contacted.

2.8 Consideration must be given to notifying other individuals / agencies to secure the child’s location and return.

2.9 Where an ‘Unauthorised Absence, Missing Person or Absconder’ child from Care / Accommodated has been reported to the Police and consequently located and returned the Police must be informed so that appropriate cancellations can take place.

2.10 The reason why a person has gone missing is the key to preventing recurrence. With that aim, it is essential that the child missing from Care / Accommodated should be seen. Any child missing under any of the categories may have been subject of abuse either before or after going missing. Where this is the case Child Protection investigation must take place. They may have been a victim or witness to crime, been involved in substance abuse or prostitution.

2.11 The child should, wherever possible, be seen by someone they trust, or who is independent of the home / foster placement, within 48 hours of their return and their Care Plan amended accordingly. This may require another agency or Police involvement. The Police will not routinely visit the placement unless asked to do so or to address specific issues such as criminal activity, abuse etc.

2.12 If a child is missing for more than 3 days, or sooner dependant on the risk, the Head of Service and the Director of Social Services must be notified by the Placement Service Manager.

2.13 Where a child is missing for more than 5 days, a Missing Person meeting, organised by the Police, will be convened attended by Social Services, Health and other appropriate parties at which a clear statement of action taken and an action plan should be decided. Regular Review meetings will be held and a Child Protection Strategy Meeting will be organised where a child is at significant risk or when the child has been missing for 14 days or more.

2.14 Risk assessment of all missing children under these categories should include the following:

• Age.
• Known reason for the absence.
• Vulnerability.
• Special needs.
• Time of day / night when missing.
• Medical needs.
• Previous behaviour pattern.
• Previous similar circumstances and triggers.
• State of mind - known self harm.
• Group behaviour - potential for anti-social or offending.
• Sexual abuse / exploitation.
• Substance use.
• Running away or to someone / something.
• Abduction.
• Known location of missing child.
• Legal status.

This list is not exhaustive but the above will give guidance on issues to be considered.

2.15 Any decision and responsibility to involve the media lies solely with the parent / carer and the agency in whose care the child is placed. Media involvement may hamper or assist the enquiry. Where the Police are involved in the enquiry any media contact should be made by them, after consultation and agreement in writing, with the agency and parent / carer.

2.16 Where a child in Care / Accommodated is missing more than 6 weeks the Head of Service will review the case. The case will be reviewed thereafter at 3 monthly intervals.