Children who run away or go missing from home or care
Statutory guidance setting out the steps LAs and their partners should take to stop children from going missing and to protect those who do.
This statutory guidance is for:
- local authorities (LAs)
- chief executives and directors of children’s services
- local safeguarding children’s board partners
- managers and practitioners working with children and young people
- police forces
- other professionals working with children and young people, who go missing or run away from home and care
It sets out the steps LAs and their partners should take to prevent children from going missing and to protect them when they do go missing.
LAs must comply with this guidance unless local circumstances indicate exceptional reasons that justify a variation.
The guidance is accompanied by a flowchart showing the roles and responsibilities when a child goes missing from care.
This guidance replaces the statutory guidance issued in 2009, in line with changes in:
- evidence
- policy
- the statutory framework covering looked-after children
A report into the consultation on the statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care is also available.
