Missing People Website
Call Missing People on 0500 700 700. 24 hour confidential Freefone service.
- in the professionals sections:
- seen someone
- police
- social care services
- the media
- identification update
Information for Social Care Services
Missing People helps local authorities to find young people missing from care and any child who is known to Children's Services. We also assist in the search for vulnerable people known to Adult's Services.
Children and Young People
“I would like to thank you and your team for all the support during our missing person investigation. The media strategy formed a huge part of our investigation and working together with you really enabled us to safeguard this young person to the best of our ability.
I also found your experience and knowledge of working with missing people, was particularly beneficial. It was of great assistance when you attended our strategy meetings so we could discuss various aspects of the case. I look forward to working with you again in the future.”
Social Worker - Specialist Investigation and Assessment Team, Buckinghamshire Social Services
Missing People are on hand to work with Social Workers to aid the safe return of children missing from care. We aim to achieve a safe outcome for young people who have run away by operating to the highest standard of good practice. The safety of the child is the number one priority and we work within strict confidentiality codes.
The team was set up in 2003 under an agreement with the Department of Health, and later Department for Education and Skills. More recently (2005), the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) introduced a scheme whereby funding is provided by Local Authorities for the charity to provide this service nationally.
We handle cases of missing children who are in care, or any child who is known to their Local Authority Social Care Services. We accept open referrals from any agency or carer involved with the missing child. It is essential that the case has already been reported to police before we can help. The charity then provides a neutral interface, liaison and contact point and also publicity opportunities. We have access to publicity channels and media partners which may otherwise not be available to Social Services - publicity can be as high profile or low profile as the case warrants. All publicity is undertaken under full consultation with Social Care Services, police and - where appropriate - the family of the missing child. A media consent form will need to be signed by whoever has parental responsibility.
Tel: 0871 222 50 55
Email: services@missingpeople.org.uk
Adult Services
Where an adult is missing and has a social worker or is known to Adult Services, Missing People will liaise with the appropriate authorities in the search for the missing person. We would liaise with Adult's Services where issues relating to older age, mental health and learning disabilities may be involved.
