School Children Missing Education Safeguarding Escalation Procedure

This procedure applies where a pupil’s safety or welfare may be at risk, including where suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation may be linked to missing education. Staff should act without delay when such a concern arises.

1. Immediate action

If you have safeguarding concerns about a pupil who may be missing education, take immediate action in accordance with [school child protection policy name] and involve the designated safeguarding lead.

Tell the designated safeguarding lead promptly about the concern, the information indicating that the pupil may be missing education, and any concern about the pupil’s safety or wellbeing.

2. Consider escalation

The designated safeguarding lead, or another member of staff where appropriate, must immediately consider whether a referral is needed to local authority children’s social care.

Where appropriate, consider contacting the police, particularly where there is concern that the pupil is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm.

3. Suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation

Where a pupil missing education is suspected to be experiencing abuse, neglect or exploitation, follow [local child protection procedure name].

4. Immediate danger or risk of harm

If the pupil is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, make an immediate referral to children’s social care using [local children social care contact] and contact the police where appropriate using [police contact route].

5. Record and handover

Record the safeguarding concern, the date and urgency of the consideration, the decision about referral, any referral to children’s social care or contact with the police, and the rationale where no referral was made.

Keep the relevant safeguarding and attendance information with the child-protection records and record actions taken under the local child-protection procedure, including referral details, timestamps and any outcome or handover information.