Missing Children

The Department for Education describes a young runaway as ‘a child or young person up to the age of 18 who has run away from their home or care placement, or feels they have been forced to leave, or whose whereabouts is unknown’.

In November 2013 Suffolk Police introduced the new definition of ‘missing’ in line with ACPO guidance:

Missing: Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established, and where the circumstances are out of character or the context suggests the person may be a subject of crime or at risk of harm to themselves or others.

Resources

• DfE Flowchart - Statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care 2014

• Missing families where there are concerns for children or unborn children

• Quick Guide 6 Safeguarding Children Who Run Away or Go Missing from Home or Care

• Safeguarding Children Who Run Away or Go Missing from Home or Care - Policy, Procedure and Practice Guidance v7

• Guidance for Providers re Missing Children and when to respond

For information about Children Missing from Education, please see our Education page

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