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around every year 70,000 children go missing in BritainAnd while most are eventually found, the real crisis often lies in the circumstances that caused them to disappear in the first place.
The safe return home is only the beginning. Equally important is to understand why a child is reported missing and making sure it doesn’t happen again,
Causes are diverse and often complexSome young people disappear because they are struggling with mental health problems, Others are escaping abuse or are being groomed and exploited, For many people, disappearing is the only way to signal distress when they feel unheard or unsafe,
Independent And are aiming to raise £165,000 to launch charity Missing People secure callA free new service to support children when they are most vulnerable. Co-designed with young people, SafeCall will provide confidential advice, guidance and a route to safety for those who feel they have nowhere else to go.
Former Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, Param Sandhu, said: “Every missing incident is a warning sign. Many children who are experiencing exploitation, abuse or mental health will go missing long before they disclose their experiences.
“A proper interview, an involved police response and follow-up support can be the difference between an incident and the exploitation or ongoing harm of a child.”
donate Here Or text SAFE to 70577 to give missing people £10 – enough to get one child support.
When someone under the age of 18 is found after going missing, the first job of the police is to check if they are safe.
The police should speak to the child as soon as possible to find out if they have been harmed, to understand if a crime has been committed, or if there is any immediate danger. Any concerns should then be shared with social services or other agencies.
Every child who goes missing in the UK is given the option of an ‘independent return home interview’, which must be offered within 72 hours of the child’s return.
Sarah Hawley, who manages the Missing People’s Hertfordshire support service, said that talking to a child about why they have gone missing is vital to getting them the right help and preventing them going missing again.
She said: “Talking about disappearances can expose what’s really happening to this child and action needs to be taken based on that.”
In some areas, such as Hertfordshire, the Missing People charity will conduct interviews.
The interview should focus on why the child went missing, whether they feel safe at home, any issues of abuse, or mental-health issues they are facing, and what support they need.
Ms Sandhu said: “Children go missing for a variety of reasons, such as conflict or abuse at home, bullying, school pressure, mental-health problems, or being groomed by criminal networks.”
Depending on the reason a child is missing, they may be given social care assessments or safeguarding plans, support from specialist charities, mental health referrals, youth offending services and diversion programmes, or support from any other relevant teams.
If a child goes missing after experiencing abuse at home or in foster care, children’s services and perhaps the police will be called, and professionals will assess whether their home is a safe place for them. If not, a safe place will be found for them to stay.
For children who are suffering from mental health problems, Ms Hawley said they would assess what kind of help the child needs, which could be an immediate referral to hospital, or signposting to a mental health charity.
Any young people who are worried about returning home should know that there are always people around to help and support them, Ms Hawley said: “There are always people willing to help, and that’s why the Missing People Helpline is a confidential place to get some support and some help.”
Please Donate Now The Independent and Missing People’s SafeCall campaign, which aims to raise £165,000 to create a free, nationwide service to help vulnerable children find safety and support.
If you or a loved one is missing, text or call the charity Missing People on 116000 for advice, support and options. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental. or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/get-helpIf you are struggling or in crisis, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK & ROI),