Going missing may be the first indication that there are problems or vulnerabilities for a person. A Return Discussion is an opportunity to support the individual who has gone missing and identify any underlying causes, including any ongoing risk of harm and an opportunity to refer the individual to appropriate support services. In Scotland, 84% of Return Discussions are completed by police (Police Scotland Missing Persons Annual Report 2018-2019). However, the Framework and good practice encourages the returned person to be given a choice as to who they would like to complete their Return Discussion.
Read our Return Discussion TipsFor over 30 years, the charity Missing People have been a lifeline for anyone affected by missing. Whether someone is thinking of leaving home, has already left, or has a loved one who is missing, we will support them. To find out more about us, have a look at our webpage, here.
We are here to ensure that anyone who is missing can find a safe way to reconnect with a loved one, to get a message home, or, to get to a place of safety, and that loved ones are supported whilst they live with not knowing what has happened to someone they love.
Our free support services are available for the people you work with in Scotland.
Our free helpline 116 000 is available 7 days a week for people affected by missing. This could either be someone who is missing and wants to talk, someone who is thinking of going missing and wants to talk through their options, or someone who has a missing loved one. They can remain anonymous and we do not need to know where they are.
Calls and texts are completely confidential and the Helpline Team can provide emotional support, discuss options and provide practice advice.
The helpline can be contacted by:
Phone or text: 116000 or online chat
A child or young person can start a conversation by going to our Runaway Helpline Website specifically for young Scots. This is a young person friendly place to access free information at: www.runawayhelpline.org.uk/scotland.
A TextSafe is sent to a missing person to let them know that we’re here if they want to talk to someone. This is when the police investigating their disappearance know the missing person’s phone number, and request that a TextSafe is sent. The text is sent via our system, so the missing person doesn’t become nervous and think the police are contacting them. If the person replies to the text, the reply comes straight back to us, so it remains confidential. So the police may request the TextSafe, but they will not see any subsequent replies.
As well as our Helpline and 121 Chat services, we also offer longer-term support to families with a missing loved one. This involves us assigning a member of the Helpline Team to the family, as their ‘Family Support Worker’. This support is more proactive – we contact the family to check in with them and offer support, instead of the family always having to contact us. This type of support is offered over the phone.
Materials to signpost people to our Helpline available to download below.
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