Statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care

The current statutory guidance on children who run away and go missing from home or care was published in July 2009. The guidance needs to be updated to reflect: widespread concerns about children in care being sexually exploited; changes in policy, such as the requirement of national indicator 71 which no longer applies; and recent changes in statutory guidance (Care planning and Working Together).

The government has therefore decided to produce a new version of the statutory guidance on children who run away and go missing from home or care to reflect these changes. The guidance will also include flow charts to make clearer the actions required of local agencies and carers when a child goes missing from home or care.

This consultation seeks the views of local authorities, representative bodies and other interested parties on the content of the guidance and flow charts.