Missing Child Policy

I adequately supervise all children whilst in my care, whether in setting or whilst on an outing, ensuring they are always within sight and hearing, including when they are eating.  

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A full set of all children's  details with emergency contact numbers for parents or other contacts are available to hand at all hours of the setting ‘day’, whether at the setting or on an outing.  This includes: Police: 999 for emergencies / 101 for non-emergency police contact

 

I take appropriate steps to minimise the risk of a child going missing.  These will include:

• maintaining appropriate supervision at all times;

• knowing how many children are present and where they are;

• carrying out regular headcounts;

• checking children are present when leaving and arriving at locations;

• checking children before leaving an activity or venue;

• ensuring doors, gates and other access points are appropriately secured;

• carrying out regular safety checks of the premises and garden;

• ensuring children understand simple safety rules appropriate to their age;

• taking account of individual children’s needs and behaviours;

• considering additional risks for children who may be particularly vulnerable to wandering or becoming separated;

• carrying emergency contact information when away from the setting;

• carrying a fully charged mobile telephone on outings;

• ensuring that children remain within appropriate sight or hearing of me according to their age, needs and the activity taking place.

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I  ensure that supervision arrangements are appropriate to the number, ages, abilities and individual needs of the children attending on any given day.

 

I maintain an accurate record of children attending each day.  I know: which children are present; their expected arrival and departure times; who is authorised to collect each child; relevant emergency contact details; any specific safeguarding or supervision information relating to a child.

 

I carry out headcounts when appropriate, particularly: when leaving the premises; on arrival at an outing; before leaving an outing; when changing locations; after using transport; when returning to the setting; whenever there is a change in circumstances.

 

If a Child Cannot Be Located

 

If I discover that a child is missing, I will treat the situation as an emergency. I will: immediately check the immediate area and any likely or accessible locations where the child may be; call the child’s name and check places where the child may be hiding or playing; firstly check security of  external doors, gates and access points to establish they are locked and out door boundaries are secure to ensure the child could not leave the premises; check toilets, bedrooms, cupboards, garden areas, sheds and other areas appropriate to the circumstances; maintain supervision of the other children. I will not leave other children unsupervised in order to search; if another suitable and authorised adult is present, I will ask them to supervise the other children while I search, where appropriate; if the child is not found immediately, I will call 999 and report the child missing.

I will provide the police with: the child’s name and age; a description of the child; what the child was wearing; where and when the child was last seen; the child’s likely destinations or interests; any relevant medical, developmental or safeguarding information; my location and contact details; details of any circumstances that may increase the child’s vulnerability.

I will follow the police operator’s instructions. I will contact the child’s parent/carer or emergency contact as soon as practicable, while ensuring that emergency action is not delayed.

 

I will not wait for a period of time before contacting the police if I believe a child is genuinely missing or at immediate risk.

 

Missing Child on an Outing

 

If a child goes missing during an outing, I will:

 

• Immediately stop the group and establish which child is missing.

• Ensure all other children in my care are with me.  I will not let them look independently. 

• Carry out an immediate search of the surrounding area.

• Leave all personal belongings, if it would waste time collecting them up.

• Check the last known location and likely routes.

• Alert responsible staff at the venue, where applicable.

• Ensure the other children remain safely supervised.

• Ask venue staff to initiate their missing-child procedure where one exists.

• Contact 999 immediately if the child cannot be located promptly or there is any concern for their safety.

• Provide the police with a full description and relevant information.  I would give the Police/emergency services a What 3 Words code to accurately locate where the child was last seen/where to meet us.

• Contact the child’s parents/carers as soon as practicable.

• Follow instructions from the police and venue staff.

 

I will not put myself or other children at unnecessary risk while searching.

 

If a Child Leaves the Premises

 

If a child leaves the premises without my knowledge or permission, I will treat this as an immediate safeguarding emergency.  I will:

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• establish when and where the child was last seen;

• secure the other children;

• check the immediate area;

• check known routes and likely destinations;

• call 999 without delay if the child cannot be located immediately;

• provide the police with all relevant information;

• contact the child’s parents/carers;

• follow police instructions.

 

I will not leave the other children unsupervised while attempting to locate the missing child.

 

Children with Additional Needs

 

I recognise that some children may be at increased risk of going missing because of their individual needs, communication difficulties, developmental stage or other circumstances.  Where appropriate, I will agree additional safety measures with parents/carers.  These may include:

 

• increased supervision;

• additional risk assessment;

• agreed safety strategies;

• photographs or identifying information available for emergency use;

• discussing likely destinations or behaviours;

• ensuring all adults involved in the child’s care understand the arrangements.

 

Any additional arrangements will be recorded within the child’s individual risk assessment or care information where appropriate.

 

Contacting Parents and Carers

 

Parents/carers will be informed as soon as reasonably practicable following a missing-child incident.  I will provide factual information about: what happened; when the child was last seen; actions taken; whether the police have been contacted; the child’s current whereabouts and condition, once known.

 

I will remain available to answer questions and cooperate fully with parents/carers, the police and any safeguarding professionals.

 

Safeguarding Considerations

 

A missing-child incident may indicate a safeguarding concern.  I will consider whether:

 

• the child was adequately supervised;

• there were environmental security concerns;

• the child was deliberately removed from supervision;

• there may be concerns about a person’s behaviour;

• the child has disclosed anything concerning;

• there are repeated incidents;

• the child’s individual needs were adequately considered.

 

Any safeguarding concern will be recorded and managed in accordance with my Safeguarding and Welfare n Policy.​

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Informing Ofsted

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Ofsted will be notified as soon as possible or at least within 14 days of the incident occurring.

I will consider whether the incident constitutes a serious incident that must be notified to Ofsted. 

 

Recording the Incident

 

Following a missing-child incident, I will make a written record as soon as practicable.  The record will include:

 

• child’s name;

• date and time;

• location;

• circumstances leading to the child becoming missing;

• time the child was last seen;

• description of the child;

• searches undertaken;

• people contacted;

• time the police were contacted;

• advice or instructions received;

• time the child was found;

• condition of the child;

• parent/carer notification;

• safeguarding referrals, where applicable;

• Ofsted notification, where applicable;

• actions taken to prevent recurrence.

 

Records will be stored securely and treated as confidential.

 

After the Child Is Found

 

When the child is located, I will: establish that the child is safe; check for injury or distress; seek medical assistance where necessary; comfort and reassure the child; inform the parents/carers; cooperate with the police or other professionals; record the incident fully.

 

I will not punish or shame a child for becoming lost or separated.  I will consider the child’s emotional wellbeing following the incident.

 

Review Following an Incident

 

Following any missing-child incident, I will review: supervision arrangements; premises security; garden security; outing procedures; headcount procedures; risk assessments; individual children’s needs; communication with parents; whether additional training or safeguarding action is required.

 

Where necessary, I will amend procedures to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident occurring.

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