8. Local authority Children Missing From Education policies and procedures
Safe and Well describes good practice when a child goes missing from education and suggests that;
- local authorities have in place written procedures for children transferring school, absence management and for situations when children become missing from education;
- a multi-disciplinary approach is taken to risk assess vulnerable, missing or relocated children to determine (and where possible deliver) the relevant course of action required, and the nature of any child protection concerns;
- when children are missing and whenever necessary, the local authority's child protection guidelines are followed;
- the local authority will search across their area prior to a referral to CME(S) to
co-ordinate searches across Scotland (and beyond where appropriate); - a named person in the local authority co-ordinates the progress of local searches and is the contact for CME(S) to give and receive information; and
- children who are missing from education are recognised as being vulnerable and in need of support.
While the Children Missing from Education guidance supported the development of protocols, procedures and guidance at local level there was no clear picture of what progress had been made nationally. Therefore to contribute to the review of what had been achieved over the first period of CME(S), local authorities (32) were invited to provide their current documents. This would contribute to future developments arising from the strategic business planning day. Of the 27 authorities who confirmed that policies/procedures/guidance were available, 12 submitted documentation.
A number of policies appeared strong in that:
- the document title would specify it was for children "missing" from education;
- the content would make specific reference to the "missing from education" guidance in Safe and Well;
- a definition would be included for children who were missing from education;
- specific reference would be made to local authority responsibility and be clearly defined;
- specific reference would be made to the care and welfare of children and links to child protection;
- the importance of multi-agency working would be highlighted and clarified;
- specific reference would be made to quality assurance and monitoring and recording procedures;
- specific local authority guidance or reference to Safe and Well would be given for search responsibilities and associated tasks and detail who would undertake them at local level;
- guidance would be given on risk assessment;
- procedures would clearly specify time intervals for the reporting of missing children to the designated CME local authority person;
- specific links would be made to other council policy areas such as attendance, care and welfare and child protection; and
- the documentation addressed the needs of particular groups such as travellers or early years and pro-formas in Safe and Well had been tailored to suit local requirements and or arrangements.
It is encouraging that in a relatively short period of time almost all local authorities have confirmed they have policies or guidance in place and that from those seen systematic procedures and good practice is being developed.