Missing Child Policy 🚸🔍
Reviewed by: Phil Parker
Next Review Date: 📅 December 2025
📜 Statement of Intent
At FUNDA, the safety and well-being of children are our top priorities. 🛡️👶
We collaborate with parents and the community to provide a secure environment, ensuring every child gets the best start in life. 🌟
To prevent children from leaving the premises unsupervised, we have strict security measures and procedures in place (refer to the FUNDA Health and Safety Policy). 🚪🔒
In the unlikely event that a child goes missing, the following procedures will be followed:
🛑 Procedure if a Child Goes Missing on Site
Immediate Action:
The Key Person informs the Manager or person in charge.
The Manager assigns staff to search indoor and outdoor areas thoroughly. 👀🏡
Attendance Check:
The register is reviewed to confirm if other children are accounted for. 📝✅
Gather Information:
The Manager speaks to the Key Person to understand the situation (e.g. when and where the child was last seen). 🗣️🔎
Vigilance:
Staff remain alert for any suspicious persons or behaviour around the setting. 🚶♂️⚠️
Calm Environment:
Staff avoid causing panic and ensure that other children are safe and supervised. 😊👩👧👦
Next Steps:
After 10 minutes of searching:
The Manager informs the police 👮♀️📞 and the child’s parent. 📞👨👩👦
The Manager contacts the Senior Manager on duty, who will travel to the venue immediately whilst coordinating with other senior leaders. 🚗
Ongoing Searches:
Staff continue searching while awaiting the police and the parent. 🕵️♀️
Other staff maintain normal routines for the remaining children. 🎨🧩
📝 Incident Reporting
Staff will document the incident in a detailed Incident Report, including:
Date and time of the report. 📅🕒
Names of staff and children in the group/outing. 👥📋
Last known location of the missing child. 📍
Activities/events leading up to the incident. 🎭🏞️
Estimated time when the child went missing. ⌛
A conclusion will be made about how the security breach occurred. 🧐
🕵️ The Investigation
Internal Review:
The Site Leader, Head of Quality Assurance, and Senior Management will conduct a full investigation. 📝👔
Staff present during the incident will provide written statements. ✍️
Accountability:
If a staff member is found to be at fault, appropriate actions will be taken. ❗⚖️
Police Involvement:
If required, the police will lead the investigation, and staff will fully cooperate. 👮♂️
Social Services may get involved if there are child protection concerns. 👶🚨
Regulatory Reporting:
The incident will be reported under RIDDOR guidelines. 📚
It will also be recorded in the Incident Book. 📘✍️
The Local Authority Health and Safety Officer may investigate further and decide on any prosecution. ⚖️
Ofsted will be informed of the incident. 🏢📨
🚸 Commitment to Safety
At FUNDA, we continuously strive to uphold the highest standards of safety for every child. Your cooperation and trust help us create a secure and nurturing environment. 🌟😊