4.1 Absenting Children

Contents

1. High Levels of Concern
2. Medium and Low Levels of Concern

1. High Level of Concern

If a child is Absconded, s/he automatically falls into the High Level of Concern category.

If the child is Missing and remains absent for 12 hours, s/he automatically falls into the High Level of Concern category.

Also any child who is Missing or Absent without Authority, immediately falls into the High Level of Concern category if the following or similar circumstances apply:

1. The child's death may occur
2. The child may be at risk of serious injury or harm, e.g. from adverse weather conditions or the child's inability to stay safe
3. The child requires essential medication/medical attention
4. The child is likely to suffer Significant Harm
5. The child may come into contact with a Schedule One Offender
6. The child may be injured, including self injury, and require medical attention
7. There is a warrant for the child's arrest
8. The child may commit a violent or arrestable offence
9. The child may be abducted
10. The child is subject to a Child Protection Plan
11. The child is subject to Police Protection
12. The child is subject to an Emergency Protection Order or Recovery Order

2. Medium and Low Levels of Concern

The criteria for deciding whether a child falls into the low or medium category can not be defined absolutely.  It is for carers on the day to decide what level of concern to apply depending on the age, background, level of understanding of the child and other circumstances on the day.

If in doubt, staff should consult the manager, social worker or the Police.

Age & level of understanding	Age is a factor, but not alone.  Also consider level of understanding, ability to make informed decisions, the child's ability to operate in urban or rural environments, social and life skills, disability etc.  The more able the child is, the less concern staff should have.
Number of Absences	Consider the number of times the child has absented him/herself and from what situations. For example, children who have absented themselves from similar accommodations and returned safely may be of less concern than those who are not known to staff or who do not normally absent themselves
Behaviour whilst absent	Consider what the child does or is suspected to get involved in whilst absent on previous occasions.  Also consider how recent such problems have been.  Higher levels of concern should be attributed to those who are known, recently, to have placed themselves or others at risk of significant harm.  The factors that may result in higher levels of concern are that the child has previously: made contact with known/suspected Schedule 1 Offenders been abducted self injured or attempted suicide committed or been associated with a serious or arrestable offence been subject to sexual exploitation or other serious risks/concerns
Circumstances on the day	The following are examples of circumstances, which may be considered in deciding the level of concern on the day.  The fact that they apply to a child does not automatically mean there is a high level of concern; the decision rests with the manager having considered all the circumstances. out of character/unusual behaviour prior to disappearance absence with no prior indication possibility of sexual exploitation or being drawn into offending behaviour

End