Missing Child Policy

A register of students on students will always be in the School Office.

Registers of all children will be taken at 8.30hrs and 13.15 hrs.

All absences and sickness are notified to relevant staff.

In the event that a child is discovered to be missing an immediate search of usually frequented areas will be effected by the staff currently responsible for the child(ren).

If, after a thorough search of the premises, the child is not found, the most senior member of staff is to be called.  They will notify the police, the child’s parents or guardians and, if appropriate, social services. In the meantime, all available staff members will initiate a further search of the premises and school locality.

Further action will be taken in liaison with the police and social service authorities.

Off School Premises

Children involved in off-site visits are to wear ID stickers detailing the School telephone number and a mobile telephone number of the person accompanying. 

Details of children attending the outing, together with information of accompanying staff and their contact telephone numbers, details of the vehicle in which they are travelling and a copy of the letter to parents giving information about the visits will be held in the School Office.

Children will be in small groups under the direct control of a member of staff.  A count of children is made at regular intervals and always before transport departs.

If a student is discovered to be missing, the staff member should:

$1Ø  Notify, if appropriate, the staff at the venue that is being visited and ask them to initiate their lost child protocols.

$1Ø  Notify the most senior member of staff at the School and act on any instructions.

$1Ø  If the child is not found quickly, notify the police and provide them with as precise a description of the student as possible, the last know whereabouts of the student and supply the police with any other details they may require.

$1Ø  The School will notify the student’s parents.

The member of staff initiating the search should remain in situ until the police or assistance from School arrives.

In such stressful circumstances, it is important that the staff remain as calm and collected as possible.

It is important that, following an incident, the issues that arise are addressed:  For example:

$1Ø  Update the risk assessment for the activity

$1Ø  Talk through the incident with the student involved emphasising the worry that was caused

$1Ø  Formally record the reasons given by the child as to why they have gone missing

If the student gives a reason for going missing that is linked to either bullying or inappropriate behaviour, it is important that this is both recorded and reported to outside agencies following the policy as outlined in the Complaints and Child Protection policies.