½ Day Missing from Home Training

Understanding Missing Episodes

• Define what constitutes a missing episode and the difference between “missing” and “absent”.
• Recognise the scale and impact of missing incidents on children, families, and services.
• Identify the reasons why children and young people go missing, including push and pull factors.
• Understand how missing episodes can be linked to child exploitation, trafficking, or abuse.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Understand the legal duties and safeguarding responsibilities of professionals and agencies.
• Recognise the role of parents, carers, police, and local authorities in responding to missing incidents.
• Apply organisational policies and procedures consistently when a child is missing or absent.
• Understand the importance of timely reporting and accurate record keeping.

Responding to Missing from Home Incidents

• Follow step-by-step procedures when a young person goes missing.
• Know how to assess risk based on age, vulnerability, and circumstances.
• Understand how to liaise effectively with police and external agencies.
• Recognise when and how to escalate concerns for high-risk or repeated missing episodes.

Return Home Interviews and Debriefs

• Understand the purpose and value of return home interviews in safeguarding practice.
• Identify best practice for conducting or supporting return discussions with young people.
• Encourage safe, open conversations to identify reasons for going missing and reduce future risk.
• Use learning from return interviews to inform care planning and risk management.

Prevention and Early Intervention

• Identify early warning signs and behaviours that may indicate a risk of going missing.
• Develop proactive strategies to reduce the likelihood of missing incidents.
• Strengthen communication, relationships, and trust with young people to prevent reoccurrence.
• Work collaboratively across services to share information and address vulnerabilities.

Relevant Legislation and Guidance

• Children Act 1989 & 2004 – Duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) – Inter-agency cooperation and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Missing Children and Adults Strategy (2011) – National framework for prevention and response.
• Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 – Requirements for monitoring and reporting missing incidents.
• Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 – Powers and procedures for managing missing persons.
• Human Rights Act 1998 – Protecting liberty, safety, and family life.
• Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Safeguarding children at risk of trafficking or exploitation.

Reflective and Defensible Practice

• Record and report missing incidents clearly, accurately, and in line with policy.
• Reflect on professional responses to improve future practice and risk reduction.
• Develop strategies for maintaining effective communication under pressure.
• Promote a consistent, child-centred approach within teams and across agencies.