Policy statement

Children’s safety is maintained as our highest priority at all times, both on and off the premises. Every attempt is made, through carry out the outings procedure and our 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 staff member alerts the Club Manager.

• The Club Manager will carry out a thorough search of the building and outside area.

• The register is checked to make sure no other child has also gone astray.

• If the child is not found, the parent is contacted and the missing child is reported to the police.

• The club manager talks to the staff to find out when and where the child was last seen and records this.

• The Club Manager contacts the Centre Manager and reports the incident. The Centre Manager contacts the chairperson, and carries out an investigation.

Child going missing on an outing

• This describes what to do when staff have taken a group on an outing,

• As soon as it is noticed that a child is missing, staff carry out a headcount to ensure that no other child has gone astray. One staff member searches the immediate vicinity but does not search beyond that.

• The Centre Manager is contacted immediately and the incident is reported.

• The Club Manager contacts the police and reports the child as missing.

• The Club Manager contacts the parent, who makes their way to the setting or outing venue as agreed with the Club Manager.

• Staff take the remaining children back to the setting.

• 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 Centre Manager contacts the chairperson and reports the incident. The chairperson, with the Centre Manager, carries out an investigation and may come to the setting immediately.

• The Club Manager, or designated staff member may be advised by the police to stay at the venue until they arrive.

The investigation

• Ofsted are informed as soon as possible and kept up-to-date with the investigation.

• Staff keep calm and do not let the other children become anxious or worried.

• The Club Manager together with the Centre Manager speaks with the parent(s).

• The Centre manager, together with the Chair of the Board of Trustees speaks with the parent(s) and explains the process of the investigation.

• The Centre Manager carry’s out a full investigation taking written statements from all the staff in the Club or who were on the outing.

• Each staff member present writes an incident report detailing:

• The date and time of the incident.

• What staff/children were in the club/outing

• When the child was last seen in the club/outing.

• What has taken place in the club or outing since the child went missing.

• The time it is estimated that the child went missing.

• The report is counter-signed by the Centre Manager and the date and time added.

• 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 arrangements (see 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 are advised.

• The insurance provider is informed.

Managing people

• Missing child 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. They may blame themselves and their feelings of anxiety and distress will rise as the length of time the child is missing increases.

• Staff may be the understandable target of parental anger and they may be afraid. Club Managers need to ensure that staff under investigation are not only fairly treated but receive support while feeling vulnerable.

• 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 Cub Manager. When dealing with a distraught and angry parent, there should always be two members of staff, one of whom is the Club Manager and the other should be the Centre Manager, chairperson of the committee or representative. 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 Centre Manager or chairperson will use their discretion to decide what action to take.

• Staff must not discuss any missing child incident with the press without taking advice.