Missing children and young people

Going missing places children and young people at increased risk of harm, including exploitation, abuse, and unsafe situations. Missing episodes should never be seen as normal behaviour or dealt with in isolation. A coordinated response between families, carers, the police, and professionals is essential to support children’s safety and wellbeing.

However not every missing episode means a child is being harmed. Some children and young people may go missing briefly as part of growing independence or testing boundaries. All missing episodes are taken seriously, and patterns or repeated concerns may indicate a need for additional support to keep a child safe.

If someone is missing, the first step is always to contact the police and report them as missing. Police will provide advice and guidance on next steps and will work with partners to help locate the person and ensure their safety.

What We Mean by “Missing”

A missing child is any young person under the age of 18 whose whereabouts cannot be established and whose absence causes concern for their safety or presents potential risk to themselves or others. This includes situations where a child is not where they are expected to be and there is no clear indication they will return quickly or safely.

A missing adult is someone aged 18 or over who has been absent from their normal place of residence for at least 24 hours and whose absence causes concern. Care leavers and other vulnerable adults may face increased risks while missing and should be responded to with appropriate safeguarding consideration.

Why missing episodes matter

Children and young people go missing for many different reasons. These can include feeling unsafe or unhappy where they live, difficulties managing emotions, problems in placements, influence from peers, substance use, or exploitation. Repeated or prolonged missing episodes can be a strong indicator that a child is experiencing harm outside the home, such as criminal or sexual exploitation, grooming, or coercion.

Professionals work together with families to understand why a child went missing, what happened while they were away, and what support or protective action is needed to reduce future risk.

Support when a child returns

When a child is found, they are offered a Return Home Interview. This is a supportive conversation designed to help the child share what happened while they were missing, who they were with, and whether they felt safe. It is also an opportunity to identify any harm they may have experienced and agree further support to help prevent them from going missing again.

Families and carers are supported throughout the process. Professionals aim to work alongside parents wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so, recognising that missing episodes are distressing and worrying for families.

Working together to keep children safe

Police and children’s services work closely together to respond to missing episodes, share information, and plan safeguarding responses. Where concerns are escalating or missing episodes are repeated, professionals may hold multi‑agency meetings to review risks and agree additional actions to protect the child.

Children who are looked after by the local authority and care leavers aged 18–25 receive additional support, recognising the increased vulnerabilities they may face even after adulthood.

What to do if someone is missing

If you are concerned that a child or adult is missing, contact:

• Cheshire Police – Missing Persons
• National Missing Persons Helpline: Phone or text 116 000 (free, 24 hours a day)
  Email: 116000@missingpeople.org.uk

If a child or adult is missing from social care support or care arrangements, contact:

• Cheshire East Children’s Social Care / Consultation Team (for children)
• Adult Social Care (for adults)

Prompt action and sharing concerns early can help keep people safe and prevent harm.