Missing Student Policy

 

Policy Statement

Skywise Educational Guardianship UK Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety, health, and wellbeing of every student in our care. This policy outlines our procedures in the event that a student is reported missing. It forms part of our safeguarding framework and follows guidance from:

●      Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, September 2024)

●      Working Together to Safeguard Children (Dec 2023 )

●      Children Missing from Education (Aug, 2024)

●      AEGIS Standard 6.7

This policy is made available to students, parents, partner schools, staff, homestays, and volunteers and is reviewed annually.

 

Our Commitment

The safety of all students is paramount, and it is essential that we are aware of students’ whereabouts at all times. All staff, homestays and partner schools must respond immediately if a student is believed to be missing. Where a student is not present at a location where they are expected to be, proactive steps must be taken without delay to trace their whereabouts and ensure their safe return.

 

Definitions – Absent vs Missing

For the purposes of this policy:

●      A student is considered absent when their location is known but they are not attending a scheduled activity (e.g., not at school, but known to be at home, with family, or another approved location). This may include unauthorised absences but does not raise an immediate safeguarding concern.

●      A student is considered missing when their location is unknown, they have not been seen by a responsible adult at an expected time, and their safety may be at risk. A student is also considered missing if there is a welfare concern and no reasonable explanation for their absence.

Skywise Educational Guardianship Ltd will treat all missing student incidents as a safeguarding concern and follow its Missing Child Procedure accordingly.

 

Risks Associated with Missing Children

Children who go missing may be at increased risk of:

●      Physical or emotional harm

●      Exploitation (sexual or criminal)

●      Radicalisation or grooming

●      Forced marriage or honour-based violence

●      Human trafficking or modern slavery

●      Substance misuse, mental health issues

●      Becoming missing from education or involved in illegal employment

 

Preventing Children Missing from Education

Students must attend school every day unless there is an authorised absence. Regular monitoring of attendance is key, and Skywise must be informed immediately of any unexplained absence. Persistent absence may be a safeguarding concern and could indicate wider issues such as neglect, abuse, or exploitation, particularly through county lines or online grooming.

 

Working with the School and DSL

Skywise Educational Guardianship Ltd is committed to working closely with the schools attended by the students in our care. If a student is reported missing, Skywise will:

●      Immediately inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at the student’s school, sharing all relevant information, including the student’s last known location, circumstances, and any action taken.

●      Follow the school’s own safeguarding and missing child procedures, working collaboratively to support the search and ensure the student’s safe return.

●      Maintain ongoing communication with the school DSL, parents/guardians, and any other relevant parties until the student is located and their safety is confirmed.

●      Escalate concerns to the police or local authority children’s services if necessary, following safeguarding protocols.

 

When a Student is Missing: Situations

Students may go missing in the following situations:

Airport

●      Failing to meet their designated driver

●      Getting lost or confused in transit

●      Deliberately absconding or being abducted

Homestay

●      Not arriving or not returning at curfew

●      Leaving without permission

●      Disappearing during homestay-led activities

School

●      Not returning from holidays or exeats

●      Going missing on school trips or outings

●      Missing pre-arranged transfers

 

Immediate Actions Prior to Involving the Police

When a student is identified as missing:

1. Initial Checks
   • Call the student’s mobile
   • Check recent messages or social media activity
   • Contact the student’s homestay
   • Contact the school or friends
   • Confirm with transport providers if relevant
   • Contact Skywise 24/7 Emergency Contact Number:

▪        UK: 07767 599 455

▪        China: +86 139 1175 8089

2. If student remains missing after checks (within 30 minutes)
   • Call Skywise’s DSL:

▪        DSL: Ms Zhiying Zheng – 07792 766 329

▪        Email: info@skywisegroup.com

2. • DSL will advise if the police should be contacted via 101
   • In emergencies or immediate danger: call 999

 

Reporting to the Police

The police will be contacted only after reasonable checks have been exhausted. The DSL or responsible adult should provide:

●      Student’s full name, age, nationality

●      Description and clothing

●      Medication needs

●      Last known location

●      Recent behavioural issues or triggers

 

When the Student is Found

It is essential that the student is treated with care and respect. Upon their return:

●      Staff or homestay will offer reassurance and comfort

●      The DSL will notify parents or guardians and write a full incident report

●      The student will be given an opportunity to share any concerns

●      Discussions with parents and the school will be held to determine causes

●      Appropriate support, including counselling or safety planning, may be provided

 

Actions to be Taken by Skywise

●      A full written report will be completed by the DSL

●      Details will include date, time, circumstances, actions taken, and outcome

●      Statements may be gathered from involved parties

●      Relevant safeguarding partners and local authorities may be informed

●      Any media enquiries will be referred to the DSL

●      Internal procedures will be reviewed, and policies updated if necessary

 

Record Keeping

All information related to a missing student incident will be securely documented, in line with data protection and safeguarding legislation.

 

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or after any major safeguarding incident involving a missing student.

 

 

Last Reviewed:  Mrs Katerine Lee 01/03/2025
Next Review Due: 01/03/2026