Statement
This policy is designed to be implemented✘≤× in cases where students are believed to be absε÷₽ent or missing from the™±↓ care of UK Tuition Gu♠↔∑ardians. The purpose of the policy is to locate®₹ the student by the safest λ↑∑βand fastest means possible↑← .
UK Tuition Guardians is committed ®φto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of ↑£children and young peop®©∏le.
This policy is required to ensure that missi☆λng or absent students (who are § σnot under the duty of c↕★↔≠are of the school), are subject to an approp&∏♣riate response by UK Tuition Guardians. This isγ"Ω to ensure that children are foun™'d and returned to an approved location a♦ ₩s soon as practicable.
The benefits of this policy are that all Ω₽£reports or missing/absent people will be reα♣corded. The policy provides a model↕↑εα and framework for res≤★≈•ponse and dealing with incidents dependen€™©t on the risk posed. Thi∏★s policy is applicable to all staγε&ff members who may become involved i ↕®n the initial stages of a re®€port of a missing child or young person.
UK Tuition Guardians will res♣÷pond appropriately t≈±≥©o reports of missing and abse •nt persons. Every report will be risk a™"ssessed so that those ♠✔who are vulnerable or represent a high risk≈ε will be immediately identified. This process §→ shall be on-going, dynamic and super→Ω ™vised in each and every case with a focus on lo&$ ☆cating the person safely a♥≈≠nd mitigating any risk p>≠₹osed to others. Where criminality is aπ♥ ssociated with either the initial disappearanc ₹÷™e or subsequent harbouring of thos∑ε♠e who wish to remain¥ absent, this will be reported to the pΩ☆♦olice.
UK Tuition Guardians will liai> se closely with schools following a r™₽&€eport that a student has gone m↔φissing. UK Tuition Guardians Ω×is aware that some scho≥♠ols may wish to take the lead in the resp★✘onse as they retain the overall duty of care asγ♥ the student’s sponsor. In these cases, ♥×≥£UK Tuition Guardians will✘• cooperate fully with the schoo∞±l’s requests. The procedure outlined≠≤☆∞ in this policy assumes that the guardianshπ♦ip organisation is taking the leσ¥↕ad in the response.
Definitions:
UK Tuition Guardians adoption of distinc↓≈t definitions to determin$♠e whether someone is missing or absent is in ac∑☆↑≈cordance with the National Poli↔>ce Chiefs Council definitions (i •ssued by ACPO in 2♥•013).
The following definitions are included witλ §hin the Local Safeguarding Childre≤λ"n Partnership protocols:
Absent – a child or young person is not at a place where t"σ✘hey are expected or required t<£§o be and there is no appare∏≠Ωnt risk
Missing – a child or young pers ∑on whose whereabouts cannot be established and 맙where the circumstances are out of character,→₹• or the context suggests ∑®the person may be subject of crime→₽ or at risk of harm to ≈♠ themselves or another.
Supporting Reference Documents:
NSPCC publications
Working Together to Safeguard Children&↑÷ nbsp;2023
Safeguarding Children and Young People from§× CSE 2009
Scoping Report on Missing ¶✔≥and Abducted Children – CEOP
Local Safeguarding Chi☆γldren Board Protocols – Reporting children who←↑ go missing from care
Statutory Guidance on children who run away ±±or go missing from home or 'care – DfE 2014
Children Missing Education:
static/file/Children_Missing_Education_-_statutor≥≈y_guidance.pdf
Procedure:
This workflow applies ε☆≤when a young person is absent (they are Ω'↑not where they are supposed to be but there is n≤₹✔∞o apparent risk) or when they are missing (unexαβ<φpected and uncharacteristic absence which causes ♣π∞concern for their sa βfety). It applies when they are ✔§ ✔under the care of UK Tui↕Ωtion Guardians during journeys a←$round the UK organised by us←<± or at a homestay.
The DSL Jackie Medhurst or &₽Deputy DSL Tong Zhou,α™∑γ shall manage any cases of absent or missing≤¶↓ children or young people, and as such aδ↓&✔ll reports must be bought to the £'↔attention of the DSL&n♥↕♥§bsp;or Deputy DSL.
Contact details for the DSL and DD✘λ≠ SL
|
Job title |
Name |
Telephone/ Email |
|
DSL |
Jackie Medhurst |
Telephone: 07534021031 Email: dsl@uk-tuition.c££γ≥om |
|
DDSL |
Tong Zhou
|
Telephone: 07824 336 471 Email: Tong@uk-tuitio×n.com |
|
UK Tuition Guardians 24-hour emergency numε✘↔λber (out of hours) |
Chengzhi Wang
Angel An
|
Telephone: 07887 718 83∏←8 07422 518 887 |
If a child or young person goes miss∏→♠ing out of hours and UK Tuition Gφ©uardians receives a report then the o¶✘§₹n duty manger is responsible for ensuring≤☆✘× the completion of the ÷≥initial reasonable enquiries where a student is €σ♣£absent/missing during an event γ©(for example half term, exeat or duri®₽≥>ng a suspension/expulsion) which will"¶> include:
- if appropriate, reviewing the flight and tran✔σsfer details (with communication to the ai₩® ∑rline and transfer compa≠₹≤ny to confirm transport arra☆€™ngements for the studentλγ)
- texting, emailing andφ✔↑ phoning the student (leaving a message if no an≈swer) asking them to make contact with the on d♠§uty member of staff and repeating this↑→φ contact every 30 miα☆¶≥nutes
- texting, emailing and σ★phoning the house parent to collate™™↑ any relevant information abou →→t the whereabouts of the student – this is on ÷€ly possible if the housep↕≈arent is at school.
- texting, emailing and p♠♥• honing the parent/agent to co≈π≠llate any relevant information about <♥π&the whereabouts of the student
- texting, emailing and phoni£ ng the homestay to collate any πγ↕relevant information about the whereabouts of theφ§₽♥ student
- texting, emailing and phoning loc¶÷al coordinator to coll↕®ate any relevant information about the where$₽±abouts of the student, along•€₹ with any contact details we may♣₹ not be aware of
- review of information h∞>∏eld on file which may indicate frien¥•π€ds or associates who the student Ω≈ may be with.
Any member of staff or homestay may repo∑∏rt a child or young person as abse♥nt or missing to the police where≤δ&π they have genuine concerns for their safe ♥ty.
Following a risk assessment, the rec®∑eiving police force will record a report of a™←bsent or missing where★$σ• there are grounds to do so. In caseφπ₩s of missing children or young people, t"he police will work coop×∏¶&eratively with Children’s Social Care ₽✘staff during any enquiry.
The incident lead is responsible for en∑∞β∞suring the school is informed o¶§≥±f any report made to the police of an ab÷✘sent or missing child or youn♠™g person, as the school retains the overall duty₽×♣← of care. The school should be upd≈±¥ated with any developments as they ♠©Ωshould know the whereabouts o™☆→f the student at all times, es<αββpecially those on vi←≥₩sas.
The incident lead is responsible for e©₽™nsuring that the parents/agent are infor<&€med of any report mad£← e to the police of an absent or missing child or∞™ ¥ young person. The parents/agent₽✘ should be regularly updated (recommended a✘φπ minimum of every 4 hou€≈rs) with any developments. This is to ensur★ ÷e that they are fully informed as to ₽♦©the situation involving their ε↔son or daughter.
All missing person reports are to be reviewed by €DSL or DDSL, Jackie Medhurst or↕§ Tong Zhou as soon as practicable with su§•bsequent on-going daily review unti<©±l the incident is resolve$↔d.
Process and Response – report of a missing ± child
1. A child or young person who fallβ s into the ‘Missing’ Category must be report♦"®§ed to the police as so&∑®×on as possible by telepho'π€<ning 101 for a non-emergency r∞↕∏eport or 999 for an emergency r¥₩ esponse i.e. information received that a child or ±★♥ young person is in immediate danger of ♥harm.
YOU WILL NEED €;TO ENSURE TH$✔¥¥AT YOU ARE TRAN↑₹SFERRED TO THE FORCE §∏RELEVANT TO THE AREAγφε THE CHILD IS&n≥ >bsp;MISSING/ABSENT FROM. IF&nb>>₽sp;CALLING 999 Y≠∑ OU WILL NEED TO&nbs✘↑p;TELL THE CALL HAND" LER TO STAY ON Tα± ∞HE LINE, WHILE&nb♦δ§sp;YOU ARE TRANSFERRED TO&nb§$φΩsp;THE RELEVANT FORCE.
If the report to the police i±εs not made by the DSL/ DDSL, then the repor¥ter must inform the DSL/ DDSL of the sit§πε←uation as soon as possible.
2. The DSL or Deputy DSL wiπ★ll ensure that the following information is ¶↔₩gathered for the initial report to the po₩π☆lice:
• Name, date of birth and nationality of th♥γ✔e child or young person;
• The specific concern for the child or youα'♠✔ng person;
• Whether they are likely ♥≥to be subjected to crime, a victi≈><♠m of abuse or at risk of sexual exploitatio§ε£'n;
• Whether the child or young person is likely toδ₹¥ attempt suicide;
• Whether the child or young person likely ÷>Ω$to pose a danger to oth✔↑✔ er people;
• What actions have been completed so far ♣>₽≤to locate the child or young person;
• A description of the child or young per★γson, including their b✘®™uild, hair, clothing and glasses;☆'
• Details of when the↔♥ child or young person was last seen and γ★®with whom;
• Personal details of the≥• child or young person (inclu♦×¥Ωding any medical conditions or ailmen←♥γts);
• Any previous history of abscond&α₽ing/absenteeism and circumstances o•¶∞ f where found;
• The circumstances under whiλΩ← ch the child or young person is absent;
• Any factors which increase the ∑₩risk to the child or youδ"ng person;
• Homestay address.
Information that may be needed later ε $to extend investigations if the young person is≤↔$ not located:
• A recent photograp≈♦™∑h (if available);
• Family addresses and contact telephone n¥₹umbers;
• Known associates, telephone numbers and add∑₽εresses frequented;
• The names and addresses of the child o♣≤δr young person’s GP and dentist;
• The circumstances under which the c♠ γhild or young person is absent;
• Any factors which increase the risk to the ch✔ ild or young person;
• School and House Parent addresses and co ×♣₹ntact details
• Details of any travel and accomφ®modation plans authorised by the overseas pare↔÷πnts;
• Details of any social med♥←λia accounts that may be open to the pub §•lic;
3. The incident must ₽∞∑★be recorded as an incident report file with reguγ'λ¶lar updates being added until the mat↓£ter has been resolved. If a police repα∞ort has been made, the police incident ref♠✘erence number must be record₩♣ed. A record of all em π ails should be inclu∏₽∑ded in the incident report fiβ↑'le.
4. Following the report to the po₩∏™lice, the parents, the agent>±↑ (if applicable), sch≥¥≤ool and homestay must be informed and reque®φ♥♣sted to contact the Guardianship Mana'♣'ger without delay if the chil™☆>±d or young person makes contact.
Process and Response – report of an absent cφλ→ hild
1. If a child or young person i₹π✔s considered to fall within the definition of absδ★ent, the decision to record the child as such, t≠≠ogether with the evidence supporting that de"¥☆ cision must be recorded. Th©®γ©e absence of a child or young peα§♣rson must be recorded in the ←₹εStudent File as an ‘incide'εnt’.
2. Details of childr ♥en or young people who are absent and not contact£♦σλable should still be notified to♣™δβ the police (using the non-λ✔emergency telephone number 101 or←♠ the emergency telephone number 99✔©"9) in order that a record of the child or y§£"oung person’s absence can be made, an agre§δ§"ement can be reached on what needs t¥≤λ↕o be done, review times and on-goi>♣ ng actions. Although there i₩✘÷s an expectation that UK Tuition G'☆uardians should conti¶∑←"nue to make reasonab®$↑πle enquiries to locate the child or young perso±↕n, the police may also initiate some enqu×&πiries as appropriate.
3. The Guardianship Manager will n♥•otify the school and parents↓ "/agent of the incident, and regularly providφ££e updates to both parties ₩↑(minimum every 4 hours) w✘↑®≠ith news of any developments, or cΩπonfirmation that there have been no developmeπ☆ nts since the last update. This€→ also affords an opportunity for the school or÷™∏ parents/agent to update the Guardianship Ma∑✘nager with any c→&σontact they may have had from the student orβ¥™≠ other information received. All updatesγφ provided to the school and pa♦↕←rents/agent must be recorded in the incident reco✘÷rd.
4. UK Tuition Guardians staff will constantly review the circumstances δ"®in the light of any enqui$π€ ries made or information received, and ©↔πinform the police of any d ↔evelopments by telephoning 101, quotλ•&ing the reference number and providing☆φ∏¶ the new information received. If ★←♣the period of absencεδe continues for six hours, consideration should®γ& be given as to whether the child sho₩↔uld still be regarded as abse ₹nt, or whether they should now be consider✘®∞♣ed as missing. Six hours shouldδ"•> be regarded as the maximβ≤ φum period before reconsideration→§↔±, and in many cases a shorter period would be mor→→e appropriate.
5. Any case of an absent child or young pe•β≥Ωrson which causes significant concern, or gives r★δσise to the suspicion of harm, δ>∑♥should be brought to the attenti∏✔≠≠on of the Designated or Deputy Safeguarding Leδ←ads without delay and should ™≈¥be reviewed with a view to the possibility φ ♦that this is a missing child σγ™or young person.
Informing the media
The Police are responsible for advisin↑₹↑g the media regarding children or young people↑♠ who are reported as ±£missing. The decision to publici↔♠λse these matters will alway∑÷★s be made in consultation with the parents w↑δΩho have to give their signed consent before t ₩βhe media are able to ci↔∏rculate the details. As₩γ♠₩ such, no member of UK Tuition Guardians should release any details to the media a✘∑"•nd must refer any contact from them™&¶≠ directly to the relevant force’s Media Rela₹✘tions Office.
The Return
1. The police are responsible for ensuring t♣♦hat the child or young person reported m>&£issing has returned safe and well, and h'φ≥as an opportunity to disclose any rΩβΩelevant issues in the return interview.
2. Where a child or young person has ∏¶β♣been reported as absent to the police theyβ♦$ will not be given a return intervi¶☆ew. In such cases, a UK Tuition Guardians ≤ member of staff will σ×"¶conduct the return interview to allow tΩ÷↔<he child or young person an opportunity to ∞£talk to someone about their absence.
3. Where an allegation of any form of child abus$§®♣e is made or becomes evident, c$₩¥<hild protection procedu←λαres must be implemented and immediate cont§®∞€act must be made with the police child proπ"♣≥tection team and the L→∞✘ocal Authority Child Protection Servi☆αce where the child is living.
4. If there is any suΩ ggestion that the child has been a vic€•₽&tim or perpetrator of crime, consideratio↕ βn must be given to securing evid∞§$ence by police including by forensic examinati ≠on. This should also include securing clo <thing and delaying washing/bathing in"♦©π relevant cases. Staff must remember tha™¶t all necessary permissions must ≥≥£×be obtained from the child or young person’s pa•Ωrents and/or those with paε₩♥rental responsibility. The priority is↑ε to recognise that the welfare of the child or ©♥₹young person is paramount and car₩α™★eful consideration must be given to the p₽♥otential effects of such procedures of the ch✘↕ild or young person.
5. Any persons inform§"¥πed of the child or young person’s absence shoul↓<d be advised of the child or young"$ π person’s return without delay§©±> including the school and §parent/agent.
6. For a child or young per∞♠β₩son who has been reported as absent or miss© >→ing on two or more occasions, UK Tuit★γ↔ion Guardians will decide in consu↓♠ltation with others, whet≠®her a formal review of the guardianship is₽♦∏ required.
As explained in Keeping Children Safe in Education, all staff and homestays should be awa®'re that children going missing from educat∏ion, particularly repeat€∑edly, can act as a vital warning sign∞≥ of a range of safegua&"→rding possibilities. T♥π₹γhis may include abuse and neglect, ₽which may include sexual abuse or exploita↕↑∏☆tion and can also be a sign of child criminal¥>∑ exploitation including •<✘αinvolvement in countyαβφ lines. It may indicate mental health>δ problems, risk of substance abuse,Ω↑¥© risk of travelling to conflict zones, risk ofαφ↓♥ female genital mutilation, ‘honour’-b©↓ased abuse or risk o★♦f forced marriage. Early intervention is nec≠<÷σessary to identify the existence of★"← any underlying safeguarding $≈risk and to help prevent the risks '♣ of a child going missing in f>>uture.’ Should UK Tuit÷↑•∏ion Guardians become aware that a stu♣dent in their care is missing from educatiφ¶≥on, they will notify the school or c♠±ollege that the student attends immediately↑×.
Children Missing Education (2016) is statutory guidσσ<ance that sets out key principles±♦₩ to enable local aut"βhorities in England to implement their l÷' egal duty under section 436A of the ↓ Education Act 1996 to make arrangements λ₽✘to identify, as far as it is±₹≥> possible to do so, γ ≠children missing education (CΩε≥≠ME).
Children Missing Education∏∑ explains that:
‘All children, regardless of their¥§ circumstances, are entitle∞¶d to an efficient, full time education which is s→∞&βuitable to their age, ability, aptitude a¶φβ nd any special educatio≠¶>↔nal needs they may have.
Children missing educati₩Ω™§on are children of compulsory school↑←♦ age who are not registered pupils at a school anδσΩd are not receiving suitable education other♠©≈>wise than at a school. Children misγ≥™sing education are at significa✔♥∑nt risk of underachieving, being victims of h¶∏©arm, exploitation or radicalisatio÷ 'n, and becoming NEET (noφt in education, employment or trai♠↔ning) later in life.
Effective information sα™÷haring between parents, schools and local authori←<ties is critical to ensurδ→γ₽ing that all children of compulsory s↓αchool age are safe and receiving↑♣ suitable education. Local auth✘ orities should focus their resources efδ fectively in intervening early in the liv&§es of vulnerable children to←♥✔£ help prevent poor outcomes.€≤±’
We are committed to rev↕♣φiewing our policy and good practice ±¶'γannually.
This policy was last reviewed ©>≥on: 20th March 2024
Signed: ……Jackie Medhurst……………………♣↔………………………
Date: …20th March 2024……………………………………………………↑✔σ×……………
