Children missing from education are children and young people of compulsory school age who are not on a school roll and not being educated at home, privately or in an alternative provision. An enrolled child or young person has usually not attended school for a period of up to four weeks However, this period may be substantially less for a child with welfare concerns.

The most important factor for any missing child is safety. Should there be any concern that the child may be at risk, it is essential that local child protection procedures are followed.

Children Missing from Education (Scotland): guidance for local authorities

Included, engaged and involved part 1: promoting and managing school attendance

Learning and teaching resources

The Scottish Government commissioned Missing People and Barnardo’s Scotland to develop resources for educators that can be used in the classroom or small group settings about running away from home and staying safe.

The resources aim to inform and empower young people who are at risk of running away about what support is available through a set of activities which educators can pick to suit their group.

The activities also promote a new specialist website with advice and access to one to one LiveChat support for young people in Scotland.

Missing People and Barnardo’s Scotland developed the resources in partnership with Education Scotland, young people with lived experience and education professionals.

Improvement questions

• What strengths/areas for development are there in your school’s current approach to ensuring a preventative based approach to running away?
• How could you enhance your PSE / Responsibility of All delivery to embed current approaches?
• The runaway resource promotes close partnership working. Who would you consider to be your main collaborative partners and how might you see them being involved?