2.3.3 Missing from Home |
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This procedure applies to children Absent or Missing from Home. For procedures relating to Children Missing from Care (Looked After Children) see Missing from Care Procedure.
This Chapter should be read in conjunction with the All London Child Protection Missing Children Procedures.
AMENDMENTS
This chapter was amended in October 2009 to include DCSF Statutory Guidance on: Children Who Go Missing from Home or Care
Contents
1. Definition of an Absent Child
For the purpose of this Chapter, a child is to be considered 'Absent' in the following circumstances:
| Absence type | Definition |
| Unauthorised absence | Absence for a short period of time; sometimes it is known or suspected where the child might be. |
| Missing | If the child's whereabouts is unknown and/or the reason for absence is unknown and there is cause for concern because of their vulnerability or there is potential danger to the public. |
| Absconded | Where a child is considered missing and is also Looked After. |
2. Planning Before the Event
Prior to each planning meeting or review, including placement meetings, Staff must consider whether it is appropriate to discuss associated risks of the child absenting himself/herself.
If risks are posed, the child's plan should outline the strategies that will be adopted to reduce/prevent absence.
3. Absent From Home
For procedures relating to Children Missing from Care (Looked After Children) see Missing from Care Procedure
If the report is initially made to the Police, the Police Child Protection Unit will undertake a risk assessment, based on criteria referred to above in Section 1, Definition of an Absent Child and will then decide whether to refer the case to children's services for the area in which the child lives.
If the report is made initially to the children's services, it will be established whether the child is already in receipt of service. If so, the procedures set out in Children Missing from Care Procedures should be followed as appropriate.
If the child is not known, the matter should considered as a potential referral of a Child in Need and an Initial Assessment carried out if necessary (see next Section 3.1 Guidance regarding Children in Need). As part of this Initial Assessment the checks listed below will be made, and the Police should be consulted.
If the Child does not appear to be a Child in Need, the matter should be passed to the Police. If it is considered that the Child is a Child in Need, the procedures set out in Missing from Care Procedure should be followed as appropriate.
3.1 Guidance Regarding Children in Need
Many children who run away from Home will be "children in need" as defined by Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. Children's Social Care will need to decide, in each case that has been referred to them, whether the child should have access to an Initial Assessment that conforms to the requirements of the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families. This assessment will inter alia:
- Evaluate the risks if a child or young person were to go missing again; and
- Whether or not they and their families might be appropriately offered local family support services
Children's Social Care will also need to decide whether it is appropriate for enquiries to be made under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.
Whether or not children who have gone missing from Home are assessed as being "in need", they will be offered access to an interview upon their return. As far as possible the person conducting this interview should be independent of existing arrangements for the young person's care and welfare, and the young person's views should be taken into consideration in deciding which agency might best offer the necessary "independent" perspective.
The return interview should aim to provide the young person with information about how, if necessary, they will be able to access follow-on services such as mediation or counselling.
Where children missing from Home are identified outside of their Home authority, the "receiving" and the Home authority will need to negotiate so that the child or young person may be linked back into appropriate local services.
In conformity with the DoH guidelines, the Head of Service will be responsible for monitoring the policy and performance relating to children missing from Home, and the provisions of this Protocol relating to children missing from care shall apply mutatis mutandis to children missing from Home in respect of review, decision making, longer absences of a missing child, and children missing from other local authorities.
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