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Xxxx Policy/procedure: Issue date: Version No: 1.0
Status: Approved Review date: Page 1 of 14
Missing from Placement
POLICY & PROCEDURE
Xxxx Policy/procedure: Issue date: Version No: 1.0
Status: Approved Review date: Page 2 of 14
Policy Control/Monitoring
Version: 1.0
Approved by:
(Name/Position in Organisation)
Date:
Accountability:
(Name/Position in Organisation)
Chief Executive, Percy Hedley Foundation
Author of policy:
(Name/Position in organisation)
Barbara Bolam
Registered Manager / Head of Residential Services
Date issued: May 2016
Revision Cycle: 12 Months
Revised (Date): May 2017
Target audience:
All staff within Children & young People’s Residential
Services
Amendments/additions
Replaces/supersedes:
All previous residential policies and procedures
Xxxx Policy/procedure: Issue date: Version No: 1.0
Status: Approved Review date: Page 3 of 14
Associated Policies:
(insert hyperlinks)
Associated National Guidance
The Quality and Purpose of Care Standard
Children’s Wishes and Feelings Standard
Education Standard
The Enjoyment and Achievement Standard
The Health and Well-being Standard
The Positive Relationships Standard
The Protection of Children Standard
The Leadership and Management Standard
The Care Planning Standard
The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations
2015
Promoting the Health and well-being of Looked
After Children
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015
The Children Act 1989 Guidance and
Regulations March 2010
Statutory Guidance on Children who run away or
go missing from home or care January 2014
Document status This document is controlled electronically and shall be deemed an uncontrolled documented if printed. The document can only be classed as ‘Live’ on the date of print. Please refer to the staff login section of the internet for the most up to date version.
Equality Impact Assessment
This document forms part of Percy Hedley’s commitment to create a positive culture
of respect for all staff and service users. The intention is to identify, remove or
minimise discriminatory practice in relation to the protected characteristics (race,
disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, religious or other belief, marriage and civil
partnership, gender reassignment and pregnancy and maternity), as well as to
promote positive practice and value the diversity of all individuals and communities.
As part of its development this document and its impact on equality has been
analysed and no detriment identified.
Xxxx Policy/procedure: Issue date: Version No: 1.0
Status: Approved Review date: Page 4 of 14
Version Control Tracker
Version Number
Date Author/
Title Status
Comment/Reason for Issue/Approving Body
Roles & Responsibilities
Role
Responsibility
Chief Executive
Overall responsibility to ensure this policy conforms to current guidelines and best practice. Ensuring resources and infrastructure are available to allow its implementation. To achieve a safe working environment which includes Safe storage of medicines, correct documentation and safe administration.
Director of Human Resources Department
Ensure effective implementation of this policy. Ensure a current list of all policies is available to all staff. Review dates of policy reviews and notify accountable person of policy.
Head of Service/Head of department
Ensure effective implementation of this policy. Ensure a current list of all policies is available to all staff. Review dates of policy reviews and notify accountable person of policy.
Training Development Officer
Support line managers to develop training needs analysis and develop training plan for staff identified as requiring training. Procure and evaluate training and development to enable staff to provide safe care with medication. Provide an overview to the exec team on current position of training and development across the organisation.
Quality Manager Provide framework for audit of policy and compliance. Provide audit report to Board. Monitor effectiveness of this policy with senior management team. Raise awareness of non-compliance with Head of Service
Health and Safety Manager Monitor incidents and complaints and near misses in relation to this policy. Report to audit committee. Provide risk assessment training to staff to support this policy
Xxxx Policy/procedure: Issue date: Version No: 1.0
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CONTENTS Pg
1. Introduction
2. Purpose
3. Scope
4. Definitions/Abbreviations
5. The following practices should be followed by staff to prevent children going
missing.
6. What to do when a child goes missing?
6.1. Initial Action to be taken when children are reported missing
7. Missing from an Outing / Activity
8. Reporting – procedure
9. 8.1 Recording procedure
10. Strategy Meeting
11. When a child returns
12. Media
Xxxx Policy/procedure: Issue date: Version No: 1.0
Status: Approved Review date: Page 6 of 14
1. Introduction
Ensuring the safety and welfare of children and young people is a primary concern
and central to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people. Each
child / young person will be treated as an individual and their rights and preferences
respected. It is the responsibility of all staff and managers to ensure that children
and young people are protected from harm and are able to make choices to keep
themselves safe. It is paramount that staff and managers within the home know the
whereabouts of each child/young person who are looked after within the residential
and short break care setting. Staff and managers will use their professional
judgement to take any action they feel necessary to protect the safety of a
child/young person based on their understanding of needs and risk assessment for
each child.
This document should be read with reference to the statutory guidance on children
who run away from home of go missing from home or care (Department of Education
2014).
The reasons for children and young people’s absences are often varied and
complex, and cannot be viewed in isolation. Staff and managers from within the
home should recognise that every ‘missing’ episode should attract appropriate
attention from the professionals involved with their care, and they must collaborate to
ensure a consistent and coherent response is given on their return.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all staff and managers within the
residential setting are aware of the steps to be taken should a child/young person go
missing from placement.
It is of paramount importance that during the Pre Placement Agreement Meeting,
discussions take place around any previous history and information documented in
the relevant plans.
3. SCOPE
This policy will apply to employees working within Children’s and Young People’s
Residential Services and employed by the Foundation under a contract of
employment.
This document will be made available to all employees who are engaged in
Residential Services who will then be expected to familiarise themselves with the
principles covered within this policy.
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4. Definitions /Abbreviations
CHILD: Anyone who has not reached their 18th birthday.
YOUNG RUNAWAY: A child who has run away from their home or care placement, or feels they have been forced or lured to leave.
LOOKED AFTER CHILD A child who is looked after by a local authority by reason of a care order, or being accommodated under section 20 of the Children Act 1989
RESPONSIBLE LOCAL AUTHORITY The local authority that is responsible for a looked after child’s care and care planning.
HOST LOCAL AUTHORITY The local authority in which a child is placed when placed out of the responsible local authority’s area.
ABSENT AND ABSENCE Refers to a looked after child who is not at their placement or the place they are expected to be.
MISSING CHILD: A child reported as missing to the police by their family or carers
Since 25th January 2016 Northumbria police have begun to use new definitions of
‘missing’ and ‘absent’ in relation to children and adults reported as missing to the
police. These are:
Missing: Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established and where the
circumstances are out of character or the context suggests the person may be
subject of crime or at risk of harm to themselves or another;
Absent: A person not at a place where they are expected or required to be and there
is no apparent risk.
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5. THE FOLLOWING PRACTICES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY STAFF TO PREVENT CHILDREN GOING MISSING; Admissions should be well planned:
Good planning, preparation and communication are essential. If staff are aware that
there is a risk of a child going missing and the reasons why a child may go missing,
including where they may go to, what they do when they are missing, they will be in
a better position to prevent it.
Prior to admission information sharing meetings and placement agreement meetings
are opportunities to discuss a child’s previous behaviour and potential risk of going
missing with all of those people involved in the child’s life in order to prevent this as
far as possible.
This information will then be used to inform the Child’s Placement Plan and detailed
in their Personalised Care Plan in order to minimise the risk of the child going
missing. Staff and the child will have a clear understanding of the issues and will
agree how to manage this. A Missing from Placement Risk Assessment and
Management Plan will be completed so staff are aware of what to do to prevent a
child going missing and what to do if this happens.
The Registered Manager at the time of admission should give all children and their
parents/significant others copies of the complaints procedure, bullying policy,
behaviour management policy including how Missing from Care episodes will be
handled.
Following admission to the home:
Staff need to provide a warm caring home from home environment where a child
feels safe. Staff also need to be available and to actively listen to children. They
need to respond and resolve any problems a child has quickly. They should be
observant of children’s moods /presentation so that they can intervene quickly if
there is any indication of a child going missing
Staff need to have good positive relationships with children. Children need 1-1 time
with their identified key worker so issues can be regularly discussed and addressed.
Key worker sessions during outings need to be given a high priority as children are
more likely to share information or discuss what is troubling them when they are not
in the home and when they are enjoying an activity.
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Key workers need to ensure children, on a regular basis, (wherever reasonably
possible) understand the Complaint, Bullying, Behaviour Management and Missing
From Placement policies, who to go to should they feel unhappy, if they are being
bullied, if they want to stay with friends etc. or if they feel like running away.
All staff need to consult with children on a regular basis to discuss the service they
receive which will help to improve the quality of care within the home. Children are
less likely to be unhappy if they are consulted and listened to about the care they
receive.
6. WHAT TO DO WHEN A CHILD GOES MISSING Children who go missing from the care of Bradbury View may place themselves and
others at risk. The reasons for their absence are varied and complex and cannot be
viewed in isolation from their home circumstances and their experience of care.
Every “missing” episode should therefore attract proper attention from the
professionals involved with the child who must ensure a consistent response is given
to each Missing from Placement episode.
6.1 INITIAL ACTION TO BE TAKEN WHEN CHILDREN ARE REPORTED
MISSING
*All staff must follow procedure and joint protocol with Northumbria police
MANAGEMENT /STAFF RESPONSIBILITES:
Try and establish the whereabouts and well being of the child
Determine the level of risk of harm to the child
Determine the nature and reasons
Ascertain the likely intentions of the child before contacting the police
ACTIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:
Search the premises and immediate locality
Make enquiries with other children/staff/school
Make enquiries with other professionals
Make enquiries with relatives/parents/carers unless it is considered not in the
child/young person’s best interests
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Consider recent events
7. MISSING FROM AN OUTING/ACTIVITY
Roles and Responsibilities
Lead Person on outing/activity ensures they carry with them all the necessary details
of all Children and young people on the trip that they would require in the event that
they need to report someone missing.
If a child goes missing the Lead Person on the outing/activity must report this to staff
at Bradbury View and discuss options. Staff at the home will consult with Registered
Manager/Responsible Individual
The Lead Person on the outing will report the child missing to the Police and record
the allocated log number. They will remain in the area, instituting a local search if
staffing levels permit and will try to contact the child regularly via their mobile (if
appropriate)
Staff at Bradbury View must liaise with those who are to be notified and with
Police/EDT where required.
The Lead Person on duty, supported by staff on duty will be responsible for ensuring
the procedures in relation to a missing child are followed.
Ongoing communication regarding the missing child will be maintained between the
home and the Police local to where the absence occurred.
8. REPORTING – PROCEDURE
Once a decision has been made to report a child/young person as ‘missing’ the
registered manager/deputy or person with responsibility at the time of the
child/young person going missing should contact the police by using the non-
emergency telephone number 101
During consultation with the police it will be paramount that the level of perceived risk
to the child/young person is made clear from the onset as this will determine the
level of police response. It will be the decision of the police whether to classify the
person as missing or absent.
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The home will be given a unique reference number, which should be retained and
used in any future contact with the police.
8.1 RECORDING – PROCEDURE
During the period that the child/young person is classed as ‘missing’ staff from the
home and allocated social worker must keep a full record of all actions taken and
messages received within the home. It will also be the responsibility of staff
member’s on duty to complete the Missing from Placement Log. OFSTED will also
be notified.
The records should also include where the child/young person was found, any
reasons for going missing and any actions that may have been taken. This
information is vital for any future missing from placement episodes including
updating relevant Care Plans/Personalised Risk Assessments.
9. STRATEGY MEETING
Once a Child has been missing for 72 hours a strategy discussion must take place or
earlier if risks are felt to warrant this. If the Social Work Team Manager responsible
for the case does not feel that a strategy discussion/meeting should take place both
they and the Registered Manager should consult with their Manager to gain their
perspective. A record should be maintained on the establishment and Childcare file
to indicate reasons for this decision. If the 72 hour period falls over a weekend EDT
should be contacted to liaise with Senior Management to advise Staff of the course
of action to be taken. The Home’s Manager and Lead Person on duty will have
responsibility to be involved in this process.
10. WHEN CHILD RETURNS - PROCEDURES *note all Staff must follow procedure and joint protocol with Northumbria Police
Every missing episode should attract proper attention from all the professionals
involved with that child. Those professionals must ensure a consistent response is
given to each Missing from Placement episode.
Roles & Responsibilities
When a missing child is returned to their placement, the senior staff member on shift
must ensure all relevant people (including Police/EDT, Parent/Carer’s/Social
Worker/Team Manager) are informed of a child’s return immediately including the
circumstances of the return.
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Staff must welcome the child home telling them they are glad to see them, they have
been worried about them and offering them something to eat and drink and time to
wash/bathe if necessary.
The child’s physical/medical condition should be sensitively discussed and a discreet
offer made to arrange medical attention if appropriate.
The senior staff member on duty needs to ensure that the child is safe and well
including if the child is under the influence of drugs /alcohol. They also need to
assess the situation and decide whether the child should be monitored for a period of
time in line with their risk assessment.
Staff on duty need to offer the child time to explain about their absence, to check out
if there are any medical needs or any need to seek Police intervention if a crime has
been committed, or if child wishes to make a complaint to the Police
All Missing from Placement paperwork should be completed in full, handed on to the
next senior staff member and also left for the Registered Manager’s comments. (If
the Registered Manager is on annual holiday the Deputy Manager(s) should
complete the paperwork).
The Registered Manager or Deputy Manager must review a child’s risk assessment
after every absence and arrange any necessary meetings. If the missing episode
happens on a weekend, the senior staff member on duty should undertake the
review of this.
Key workers are to ensure all missing episodes are discussed fully at Care Team
Meetings and LAC reviews.
The child will be seen by an Independent Person within 72 hours of their return, this
must be explained to the child by the Lead Person. The purpose of this visit is to
assess the wellbeing of the child, the possible reasons for their behaviour and any
follow up action required. The child will be given the opportunity to see the
Independent Person alone.
The Independent Visitor will produce a report which may identify actions which must
be taken to further promote safeguard of the child and minimise Missing From
Placement episodes.
The Registered Manager of the home will as part of their monitoring and quality
assurance role evaluate each Missing from Placement episode, taking any actions
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necessary to improve or promote the safeguard of the child. They will also identify
any wider issues/risks concerning missing, outlining any areas for improvement
required to improve safeguards. The Regulation 45 report, as well as reports on the
child’s file such as risk assessments and management strategies will evidence this
process.
11. THE MEDIA
Long term absences will be managed through the media. It is the social workers
and/or the police’s responsibility to determine if or when the absence is dealt with
through the media.
Any query from the media to the home should be directed to the Head of Residential
Services.
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Monitoring & Review
Overall responsibility for the operation of the procedure lies with the Registered
Manager / Head of Residential Services. The effectiveness of the procedure will be
formally reviewed and monitored as a minimum on a 12 basis to ensure that it
continues to meet the requirements of The Foundation, the specific service area and
that it reflects best practice and statutory legislation as appropriate.
The below table outlines the monitoring and compliance requirements of the
procedure:
Element Monitored
Lead Person
Tool Frequency
Reporting Arrangemen
t
Lead Person - Act on
Recommendation
Lead Person – Dissemination
of Lessons Learned
E.g Adherence to policy
Policy Author
Audit Annually Policy Author Policy Author
B. Bolam Review Policy
Head of Residential Director of Education
B. Bolam B. Bolam