1. Purpose and ethos
Children and young people sometimes leave or stay away from their foster home when they feel frightened, overwhelmed, unsafe or drawn to people/places connected with earlier experiences. Our collective objective is to understand the need beneath the behaviour, keep them safe, and strengthen their sense of security and belonging. Your actions as a foster carer can powerfully communicate “You matter and we will keep looking until we know you are safe”.
2. Preparation and proactive safety planning
- Relationship first – invest daily in warmth, predictability and genuine curiosity about the child’s inner world; this lowers the likelihood of flight responses.
- Individual Safety Plan – at the Placement Planning Meeting (PPM) and recorded in the Individual Placement Agreement (IPA) and Child Safer Caring Policy (SCP):
- likely triggers (e.g. anniversaries, contact sessions);
- agreed “safe word / phrase” the child can use to ask for help without drawing attention;
- preferred calming strategies and trusted adults they will talk to;
- permissions for technology (e.g. life‑360, FindMy), agreed with the placing authority under the Delegated Authority Policy.
- Grab Pack – complete and keep updated (photo, description, meds, risks, known addresses, digital usernames). Also store digitally in the Recording System in line with the Missing from Care Policy.
- Practicalities – plan how you will collect a child from a police station or friend’s house late at night (backup driver / babysitter).
3. Definitions (see Missing from Care Policy)
- Absent without authority – child is at a known safe location but refusing to return at the agreed time.
- Missing – whereabouts unknown or they are not safe and need immediate intervention.
Recording must use these definitions so that data is accurate across the agency.
4. Immediate response guide
| Step | Trauma‑informed considerations | Core action (policy reference) |
| 1 – Notice child is late or has left abruptly | Check “Am I feeling anxious or angry?” Regulate yourself first. | Confirm expected return time per IPA/SCP. |
| 2 – Gentle contact | Send calm, non‑blaming message: “It’s getting late and I’m feeling worried – are you safe?” | Phone, text, social media per Missing from Care Policy. |
| 3 – Locate / verify | Gather info from friends respectfully – avoid shaming language (“Is X okay? We want them home safe.”) | Record attempts in log (time, who, outcome). |
| 4 – Assess threshold | Use Risk Matrix: age, weather, mental state, exploitation indicators. | Decide ‘Absent’ vs ‘Missing’. Consult SSW / OOH if unsure. |
| 5A – ABSENT (known location) | Validate feelings: “Sounds like you need space. Let’s plan a safe way home.” | Agree return/collect time. If refusal persists → move to 5B. |
| 5B – MISSING (unknown/unsafe) | Remind yourself the child may be in survival mode. | Report to Police (101) – obtain CAD no. Notify LA EDT and agency OOH. |
| 6 – Ongoing care | Continue calm texts: “You’re not in trouble, we just want you safe.” | Update professionals of any contact. |
| 7 – Return | Reconnect before request. Offer food, drink, warmth. | Cancel Police alert. Record ‘Safe & Well’ check outcome. |
| 8 – Repair & learn (within 24 h) | Use PACE debrief: Curiosity (“What was happening for you?”), Empathy (“That sounds scary.”). Co‑create new safety step. | Complete Incident Report; update Risk Assessment; schedule Return‑Home Interview (external or social worker). |
5. Recording and notifications
- Incident Report to agency within 24 h (Recording Policy).
- Update the child’s Risk Assessment and SCP the next working day.
- Any episode meeting ‘Notifiable Incident’ criteria (e.g. missing > 24 h, serious harm) must be escalated under the Notifiable Incidents & Significant Events Procedure and Ofsted informed within 24 h (agency role).
6. Reflective support for carers
Repeated missing episodes are taxing. Please contact your Supervising Social Worker (SSW) for a Reflective Consultation and consider the Support Group or PAT mentor for additional peer support. Compassion‑fatigue is real; looking after yourself models healthy regulation for the child.
7. Further reading / resources
- Missing from Care Policy – statutory detail & grab‑pack template.
- Behaviour Management Policy & Guidance – trauma‑responsive strategies.
- Safeguarding Policy – thresholds for exploitation and Section 47 enquiries.
- Recording Toolkit – step‑by‑step guide with example language.
Key message for carers: A missing episode is a communication of need, not a personal rejection. Stay connected, stay curious, and let the child know they are worth coming home to.
