missing from placement policy & procedure...working together to safeguard children 2015 the...

Xxxx Policy/procedure: Issue date: Version No: 1.0

Status: Approved Review date: of 14

Missing from Placement

POLICY & PROCEDURE



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



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.



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



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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

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