Missing Children Policy Statement Children’s safety is maintained as the highest priority at all times both on and off the 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 alert the Manager. • The Manager/staff will carry out a thorough search of the building and garden. • The register is checked to see if there has been a breach of security whereby a child could wander out. • If the child is not found, the parent contacted and the missing child reported to the police. • The Manager talks to the staff to find out when and where the child was last seen and records this. • The Manager contacts the Directors and reports the incident. Then an investigation is carried out. Child going missing on an outing • This describes what to do when staff have taken a small group on an outing, leaving the Manager and/or other staff back in the setting. If the Manager has accompanied children on the outing, the procedures are adjusted accordingly. What to do when a child goes missing from a whole setting outing (may be different, as parents usually attend and are responsible for their own child) • As soon as it is noticed that a child is missing, staff on the outing ask children to stand with their designated person and carry out a headcount to ensure that no other child has gone astray. One staff member searches the immediate vicinity. • The Manager is contacted immediately and reports the child as missing. • The Manager contacts the police and reports the child as missing. • The Manager contacts the parent. • 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 Manager contacts the Directors, reports the incident and an investigation is carried out. • The Manager, or designated staff member may be advised by the police to remain at the venue until they arrive. The investigation • Staff keep calm and do not let the other children become anxious or worried. • The setting Manager speaks to the parents; • The Directors carry out a full investigation taking written statements from all the staff in the room or on the outing. • The key person/staff member writes an incident report detailing; Date and time of the report 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/outing since the child went missing The time it is estimated that 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 co- operate fully. 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 (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. • In the event of disciplinary action needing to be taken, Ofsted is informed. • The insurance provider is informed. Managing People • Missing children 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 if missing increases. • Staff may be the target of parental anger and they may be afraid. Managers need to ensure staff under investigation receive support whilst feeling vulnerable and are fairly treated. • The parents 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. When dealing with a distraught and angry parent, there should always be two members of staff, one of whom should be the Manager . 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 remaining 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 Directors will use their discretion to decide what action to take. • Staff must not discuss any missing child incident with the press without taking advice.