Children in care who go missing.
Children who are in the care of the Local Authority (i.e. those who are accommodated with parental agreement as well as those who are subject of a Care Order) may run away or go missing from their care placement. A west Mercia protocol is being developed in respect of ALL children and young people who go missing. . The draft is available in the document library but may be subject to amendment. Please contact the Safeguarding Advisory Service for further information (Tel: 01952 38 5678)
Children and young people who have run away may present themselves for health care at various health facilities e.g. Accident and Emergency Departments, walk in medical centres etc. If a child states that they have run away from home or placement then the Health Professional must alert the Helpdesk (Tel: 01952 385700) or the Emergency Duty Team if out of office hours (Tel: 01952 676500)
It is important to understand the reasons for children going missing. Where there is a possibility that their behaviour is as a result of Child Protection concerns, this information must be passed on to either the Helpdesk or the EDT.