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Missing Child Policy

Policy statement

Children’s safety is maintained as the highest priority at all times both on and off premises. Every attempt is made through carrying out the outings procedure and the exit/entrance procedure to ensure the security of children is maintained at all times.  In the unlikely event of a child going missing, our missing child procedure is followed.

Procedures

Child going missing on the premises

• As soon as it is noticed that a child is missing the key person/staff alerts the settings most senior staff member on site.
• The senior staff member on site will carry out a thorough search of the building and garden.
• Wigginton Primary School will be contacted.
• The register is checked to make sure no other children are missing.
• Doors and gates are checked to see if there has been a breach of security where a child could wander out.
• If the child is not found, the parent(s) is contacted and the missing child is reported to the police.
• The senior staff member talks to the staff to find out when and where the child was last seen and records this.
• The senior staff member then contacts the Manager/Acting Manager the chairperson and reports the incident. The chairperson, with the management committee, carries out an investigation and may come to the setting immediately.

Child going missing on an outing

This describes what to do when staff have taken a small group on an outing, leaving the setting leader and/or other staff back in the setting.  If the setting leader has accompanied children on the outing, the procedures are adjusted accordingly.

• As soon as it is noticed that a child is missing, staff on the outing ask children to stand with their designated person (the adult they walked with) and carry out a headcount to ensure that no other child is missing.  One staff member searches the immediate vicinity but does not search beyond that.
• The most senior staff member on site is contacted immediately and the incident is reported.
• The most senior staff member on site contacts the police and reports the child as missing.
• The most senior staff member on site contacts the parent(s), who makes their way to the setting or outing venue as agreed with the setting leader.  The setting is advised as the best place, as by the time the parent arrives, the child may have been returned to the setting.
• Staff take the remaining children back to the setting.
• In an indoor venue, the staff contact the venue’s security who will handle the search and contact the police if the child is not found.
• The most senior staff member on site contacts the Manager/Acting Manager (if they are not on site) chairperson and reports the incident. The chairperson, with the management committee, carries out an investigation and may come to the setting immediately.
• Staff may be advised by the police to stay at the venue until they arrive.

The investigation

• Staff remain calm and keep the children calm.
• The Manager/Acting Manger together with the chairperson or representative from the management committee, speaks with the parent(s).
• The chairperson and management committee carry out a full investigation taking written statements from all the staff in the room or who were on the outing.
• The key person/staff member writes an incident report detailing:
• The date and time of the incident.
• What staff/children were in the group/outing and the name of the staff designated responsible for the missing child.
• When the child was last seen in the group/outing.
• What has taken place in the group or outing since the child went missing.
• A conclusion is drawn as to how the breach of security happened.
• If the incident warrants a police investigation, all staff cooperate  In this case, the police will handle all aspects of the investigation, including interviewing staff.  Children’s Social Care may be involved if it seems likely that there is a child protection issue to address.
• The incident is reported under RIDDOR arrangements (see the Reporting of Accidents and Incidents policy); the local authority Health and Safety Officer may want to investigate and will decide if there is a case for prosecution.
• Ofsted and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) are informed within 24 hours (ideally on the same day) of the incident occurring.
• In the event of disciplinary action needing to be taken, Ofsted is informed.
• The insurance provider is informed.

Managing people

• Missing child incidents are very worrying for all concerned. Part of managing the incident is to try to keep everyone as calm as possible.
• The staff will feel worried about the child, especially the key person or the designated carer responsible for the safety of that child for the outing.  They may blame themselves and their feelings of anxiety and distress will rise as the length of time the child is missing increases.
• Staff may be the understandable target of parental anger and they may be afraid. The management team and committee need to ensure that staff under investigation are not only treated fairly but receive support while feeling vulnerable.
• The parent/carers will feel angry, and fraught.  They may want to blame staff and may single out one staff member over others. They may direct their anger at the Manager/Acting Manager  When dealing with a distraught and angry parent(s), there should always be two members of staff, one of whom is the Manager/Acting Manager and the other should be the chairperson of the management committee or representative. No matter how understandable the parent’s anger may be, aggression or threats against staff are not tolerated, and the police should be called.
• The other children are also sensitive to what is going on around them.  They too may be worried.  The staff caring for them need to be focused on their needs and must not discuss the incident in front of them.  They should answer children’s questions honestly but also reassure them.
• In accordance with the severity of the final outcome, staff may need counselling and support. If a child is not found, or is injured, or worse, this will be a very difficult time. The chairperson and committee will use their discretion to decide what action to take.
• Staff must not discuss any missing child incident with the press without taking advice.