Missing Student Policy

 

 

1. Policy Statement

Skywise Educational Guardianship UK Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of all students in its care.

This policy outlines the procedures to be followed in the event that a student is reported missing or unaccounted for. It forms part of the organisation’s safeguarding framework and is compliant with:

•     ● Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE, 2024)
•     ● Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
•     ● Children Missing from Education (2024)
•     ● AEGIS Guardianship Standards

This policy applies to all staff, homestays, partner schools, volunteers, and contractors.

 

2. Safeguarding Principle

The safety of students is the highest priority. Any situation where a student’s whereabouts cannot be immediately confirmed must be treated as a safeguarding concern.

All missing incidents must be responded to without delay and in line with this procedure.

 

3. Definitions

3.1 Absent

A student is considered absent when:

•     ● Their location is known, but they are not attending a scheduled activity
•     ● They are at an authorised or known location (e.g. home, school absence, approved leave)

    ● This is an attendance issue, but must still be monitored.

 

3.2 Missing

A student is considered missing when:

•     ● Their whereabouts are unknown
•     ● They have not been seen at the expected time or place
•     ● They cannot be contacted and there is concern for their safety or welfare

    ● All missing cases must be treated as safeguarding incidents.

 

4. Risk Indicators

Missing children may be at risk of:

•     ● Physical or emotional harm
•     ● Sexual or criminal exploitation (including County Lines)
•     ● Grooming or online exploitation
•     ● Radicalisation (Prevent duty)
•     ● Forced marriage or honour-based abuse
•     ● Human trafficking or modern slavery
•     ● Substance misuse or mental health crisis

 

5. Prevention of Missing Incidents

Skywise will take reasonable steps to prevent missing incidents, including:

•     ● Daily attendance monitoring with partner schools
•     ● Immediate reporting of unexplained absences
•     ● Evening curfew checks by homestays
•     ● Maintaining up-to-date emergency contact details
•     ● Risk assessments for vulnerable or high-risk students

 

6. Immediate Response Procedure

Stage 1: Initial Checks (0–30 minutes)

Upon identifying a student as potentially missing, the following must be completed immediately:

•     ● Call the student’s mobile phone
•     ● Check messaging apps and social media activity (where appropriate)
•     ● Contact homestay provider
•     ● Contact school or classmates
•     ● Check travel providers or transfer arrangements
•     ● Confirm last known location

Simultaneously, contact Skywise 24/7 Emergency Lines:

•     ● UK: 07809 721064
•     ● China: +86 139 1175 8089

 

Stage 2: Escalation to DSL (within 30 minutes if unresolved)

If the student remains unaccounted for after initial checks:

    ● Contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

•         Ms Zhiying Zheng
•         Tel: 07792 766 329
•         Email: info@skywisegroup.com

The DSL will:

•     ● Assess the level of risk (low / medium / high)
•     ● Decide whether police should be contacted
•     ● Coordinate all further safeguarding actions

 

Stage 3: Police Involvement

Police must be contacted immediately (101 or 999) if:

•     ● The student is a child and cannot be located promptly
•     ● There is any indication of risk of harm, exploitation, or abduction
•     ● The incident occurs at night or in unsafe conditions
•     ● The student has medical needs requiring urgent attention

Information to provide:

•     ● Full name, age, nationality
•     ● Description and clothing
•     ● Last known location and time
•     ● Medical needs or vulnerabilities
•     ● Any relevant risk information or concerns

 

7. Roles and Responsibilities

Staff

•     ● Conduct immediate checks
•     ● Report concerns without delay
•     ● Maintain accurate records

DSL

•     ● Lead safeguarding response
•     ● Coordinate with schools and authorities
•     ● Make escalation decisions (including police contact)
•     ● Ensure communication with parents/guardians

Homestay Providers

•     ● Provide immediate information on student whereabouts
•     ● Report missed curfews or unusual behaviour
•     ● Support welfare checks where required

Schools

•     ● Confirm attendance and last seen details
•     ● Support safeguarding investigation
•     ● Liaise with school DSL teams

 

8. When the Student is Found

When a student is located:

•     ● Ensure immediate safety and wellbeing
•     ● Provide reassurance and support
•     ● Avoid leading or accusatory questioning
•     ● Record the student’s account where appropriate

The DSL will:

•     ● Inform parents/guardians
•     ● Notify relevant school staff
•     ● Decide whether further safeguarding actions are required

 

9. Post-Incident Actions

Skywise will:

•     ● Complete a full written incident report (including timeline and actions)
•     ● Conduct a root cause analysis (RCA)
•     ● Review safeguarding risks and update individual student risk assessments
•     ● Consider referral to external agencies (e.g. early help, social care)
•     ● Update internal procedures if required

 

10. Record Keeping

All documentation must:

•     ● Be securely stored in accordance with GDPR
•     ● Include full chronological records of actions taken
•     ● Be available for inspection by safeguarding partners or inspectors
•     ● Include communication logs and decision records

 

11. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or immediately following any serious safeguarding incident.

 

 

Date of last review: 08/06/2026
Next review due: 07/06/2027

 

Approved by:
 

 

Katherine Lee
Compliance & Safeguarding Manager
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

 

Skywise Educational Guardianship UK Ltd
Company Registration No: 16243200