Oakfield School
35. Missing Children/
Absconding Policy
Date
Agreed by School Governors:
To be Reviewed:
Oakfield School Missing Children/Absconding Policy/Procedures July 2015
February 2013
April 2017
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Oakfield School
Absconding Procedures
The safety of the children is paramount so it is vital to ensure that the Policy and Procedures for
when a child absconds is clear and concise. Oakfield School is a day/residential provision and
caters for children with Emotional, Social and Mental Health difficulties.
Unfortunately due to the nature of the pupils who attend our school, sometimes situations may
arise and the pupil will leave the premises without permission. We always endeavour to make
every effort to prevent/de-escalate these situations.
 When a pupil leaves the school site we patrol the local area, however we do not chase, as
we run the risk of the pupils going further afield, or will increase the level of risk of the
pupil running across roads. We do, however, monitor from a distance or until no longer
visible.
 If a pupil does not return and we have not had sight of the pupil/s for 10 minutes then we
contact home to report them missing, we then ask if the parents/carers want us to report
their child missing to the Police. (For LAC we are responsible for contacting the schools
safeguarding coordinator who will contact Social Workers).
 If a parent/carer requests us to contact the Police we use 101 Non-emergency Number.
 We complete an incident/absconding form quoting the Police Log Number.
 We keep Parents/Carers completely updated and record all telephone calls and incidents in
the Electronic Diary/Red Book, you must quote the incident/absconding and Police Log
Number each time you make an entry.
Please refer to flow chart attached.
NOTE – Staff must keep parents/carers informed of any additional information received or if the
child returns to school.
All information regarding incidents/absconding are monitored by the Senior Leadership Team as
these are recorded on the Incident/Absconding Data Base and will be used for further planning
for a child/young person’s, care, behaviour or Risk Assessment, where necessary.
If the child/young person returns or has been returned to the school, the absconding form must
reflect this information and again be recorded in the relevant places.
Oakfield School Missing Children/Absconding Policy/Procedures July 2015
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On return to the school;
 Inform a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
 Parents/Carers will be informed. Social Worker by Safeguarding Coordinator (if
Applicable)
 Police informed of pupils return.
 Post incident feedback will be initiated and fully documented in the electronic
diary/red book quoting incident Number and Police Log Number. The child’s Risk
Assessment will be updated.
 All documentation of absconding must always have Day, Date, Times, who you spoke
with and an Incident Log Number.
All Policy relating to Absconding/ Missing must adhere to:
 Local Protocol and Procedures Children Safeguarding boards.
http://hullscb.proceduresonline.com/index.htm
 Keeping Children safe in education (relating to concerns why the child absconded and
potential Risk whilst not in the care of the School) – March 2015.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/435939/Keepi
ng_children_safe_in_education.pdf
 Statutory Guidance on Children who run away or go missing from home or care – January
2015.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/307867/Statu
tory_Guidance_-_Missing_from_care__3_.pdf
Oakfield School Missing Children/Absconding Policy/Procedures July 2015
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Oakfield Absconding Procedure
Young person absconds whether from school, residential provision
or an offsite activity
Inform Senior
Manager
If young person
sighted, inform school
Young person returns
and follow up talk takes
place
Conduct search of
grounds and local
area, but do not
chase, if visible
observe from a
distance to ensure
safety for all
concerned. If safe
engage and
encourage pupil to
return with you.
If not sighted or found
contact parents/carers.
Inform Jayne Oakley for
children who are LAC, she
will then contact social
workers (if applicable)
Inform Police and note
Log No.
Complete Absconding
Incident form
If young person
returns of own
volition, a follow-up
talk to be recorded on
Absconding Report
Parents/carers, Police
and Social Worker (if
applicable) to be informed
of their return
Initiate
School’s
Absconding
Incident Form
Electric Data on
Absconding
Report
Young person returned by
Police or Parents/Carers
Parents/carers, social
worker (if applicable) to
be informed of their
return
Oakfield School Missing Children/Absconding Policy/Procedures July 2015
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Post Incident Feedback
During the Post incident feedback should any issues arise requiring modification of Risk
Assessments it will be acted on accordingly. Any further concerns please refer to the Child
Protection/Safeguarding Coordinator.
This Policy was reviewed July 2015.
Signed:
…………………………………………………………………………….
Lee Morfitt (Chair of Governors)
Oakfield School Missing Children/Absconding Policy/Procedures July 2015
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