Missing from Care: Prevention, Response & Safe Return

Overview

Children and young people going missing from care remains one of the most significant safeguarding challenges within children's social care. Missing episodes are often indicators of vulnerability, exploitation, trauma, unmet needs, or difficulties within a young person's relationships and environment. Effective responses require more than simply locating a child; they require proactive prevention, coordinated safeguarding action, and meaningful support that addresses the underlying reasons why the young person went missing.

This practical and safeguarding-focused seminar provides professionals with a clear framework for preventing missing incidents, responding effectively when they occur, and supporting young people upon their return. The course explores current safeguarding expectations, multi-agency responsibilities, and practical approaches that reduce risk and promote positive outcomes. Particular attention is given to the effective use of the Philomena Protocol as a preventative and collaborative tool that strengthens information sharing and police responses.

Course Content

This course explores the complex reasons why children and young people go missing from care and examines the relationship between missing episodes, trauma, exploitation, peer influence, family relationships, emotional wellbeing, and unmet needs. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of missing behaviour as a safeguarding concern rather than solely a behavioural issue, helping them identify underlying vulnerabilities and respond more effectively.

The seminar examines preventative approaches that reduce the likelihood of missing incidents occurring. Participants will explore the role of relationship-based practice, risk assessment, contextual safeguarding, safety planning, professional curiosity, and direct work with children and young people. The session highlights the importance of understanding individual triggers, patterns, and risks while supporting young people to develop safer coping strategies and stronger support networks.

Participants will also explore the practical application of the Philomena Protocol, including its purpose, implementation, and benefits. The course examines how the protocol can be used proactively to ensure key information is available to police and partner agencies, enabling faster and more effective responses when children go missing. Consideration will also be given to information sharing, recording, and partnership working between providers, local authorities, police, and other safeguarding agencies.

The course further examines how professionals should respond when a child goes missing, including reporting procedures, escalation processes, recording requirements, and multi-agency coordination. Attention is also given to return home processes, debrief conversations, reflection, and learning following missing episodes. Participants will explore how meaningful return interviews and reflective discussions can help identify ongoing risks, strengthen relationships, and reduce the likelihood of future incidents.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the factors that contribute to children and young people going missing from care.

• Recognise the links between missing episodes, trauma, exploitation, peer influence, and vulnerability.

• Apply preventative approaches that reduce the likelihood of missing incidents occurring.

• Utilise the Philomena Protocol effectively to strengthen information sharing and police responses.

• Respond to missing incidents in line with safeguarding procedures, regulatory requirements, and local protocols.

• Understand the importance of multi-agency working in managing missing episodes and reducing risk.

• Conduct meaningful return conversations and utilise learning to reduce future incidents.

• Strengthen safeguarding practice and improve outcomes for children and young people who go missing from care.

Intended Audience

This course is designed for professionals responsible for safeguarding, risk management, and supporting children and young people who may go missing from care. It will be particularly relevant for Residential Childcare Practitioners, Supported Accommodation Staff, Foster Carers, Social Workers, Supervising Social Workers, Team Leaders, Deputy Managers, Registered Managers, Responsible Individuals, Nominated Individuals, Designated Safeguarding Leads, Family Support Workers, and other professionals working with children and young people who may be vulnerable to missing episodes, exploitation, or associated safeguarding risks.

Course Facilitator

Pravina Patel is a senior leader within children's social care with more than 20 years of experience across children's residential care, supported accommodation, safeguarding leadership, and education services. She has extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, service development, Ofsted registration, and the leadership of multi-site services supporting children and young people with complex needs.

Pravina has significant experience in safeguarding, contextual safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, workforce development, quality assurance, and governance. She currently works as a Registered Service Manager and Responsible Individual, overseeing multiple services for young people while leading safeguarding systems, operational development, and continuous improvement initiatives. Her practical experience of managing safeguarding concerns, responding to missing incidents, working alongside police and local authorities, and supporting services through regulatory scrutiny provides participants with valuable insight into effective missing-from-care practice.

Through her training and leadership work, Pravina supports professionals to strengthen safeguarding cultures, improve decision-making, and develop practical approaches that promote the safety, wellbeing, and positive outcomes of children and young people.