Missing Persons Policy

Handcrafted Missing Person Policy

Changes	Date	By	Notes
Created:	04/11/2023	S.Jacklin

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1. Purpose and scope of policy

Handcrafted is a UK-based charitable organization dedicated to fostering social inclusion and providing support to vulnerable adults who are at risk of being or are already socially excluded. We help individuals who face unemployment, financial hardship, old age, disability, substance dependency issues, and those with limited education or skills or who are at risk of social exclusion to find their place and create a satisfying life for themselves, which we believe is the fundamental right of every individual.

Handcrafted is committed to safeguarding the well-being of its beneficiaries (trainees and residents) to whom it provides supported housing, the opportunity to engage in therapeutic activities and training in useful skills. We work with vulnerable adults and young people who are at increased risk of exploitation or harm if they are deemed to be missing. This policy outlines how we will respond to reports of missing persons connected to Handcrafted, ensuring a timely and effective response that prioritises safety and complies with applicable regulations.

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and participants in Handcrafted programs and activities. It is designed to assist in locating individuals who are considered missing while under the purview of Handcrafted’s operations.

2. Definitions

Missing Person: Any individual reported as missing to Handcrafted who is involved in our operations or activities.

Risk Assessment: The process of determining the risk level associated with a missing person report.

Informant: The person reporting the missing individual.

3. Risk Assessment

Handcrafted workers may become aware that a person is missing through a variety of indicators and situations. Awareness could be raised in several ways:

1. Absence from Scheduled Activities: If an individual fails to appear for scheduled activities, meetings, or appointments without prior notice or explanation, this could be an initial indicator that something is amiss.
2. Concerns Raised by Colleagues or Peers: Colleagues or peers who are expecting to see the individual at work, in meetings, or during routine activities may raise concerns if the person is unexpectedly absent or unreachable.
3. Unexpected Lack of Communication: A person who is usually responsive to calls, emails, or messages and suddenly becomes unresponsive may be a sign that they are missing, especially if this lack of communication is out of character for them.
4. Unusual Behaviour Prior to Disappearance: Workers may recall unusual behaviour or comments made by the individual that could indicate they were planning to leave or were experiencing distress.
5. Alerts from Family or Friends: Family members, friends, or roommates may contact Handcrafted directly if they are unable to reach the individual and suspect that they are missing.
6. Social Media: A person’s absence or a call for help may be noticed on social media platforms, which may prompt workers to become concerned about the whereabouts of the individual.
7. Personal Belongings Left Behind: An individual’s personal belongings found abandoned in an unusual place or manner could suggest that they have gone missing.
8. Distress Signals: Any direct or indirect signals of distress, such as notes, emails, or alarming behaviour observed before the person went missing, may lead to the realization that the individual is missing.
9. Report from Authorities: In some cases, police or other authorities may inform Handcrafted of a person's unexpected absence, especially if it's linked to a wider concern or incident.
10. Environmental Indicators: Signs of a struggle, an accident at the workplace, or any other environmental disturbances may suggest that an individual could be missing or in danger.

Quick, responsive action may be crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of a missing individual. Upon receiving a report or becoming aware that a person may be missing, the following risk categories shall be used to determine the response:

No Apparent Risk (Absent): No evidence of harm to the individual or the public.

Low Risk: Minimal, but possible, risk of harm.

Medium Risk: Likely, but not serious risk of harm.

High Risk: Very likely risk of serious harm.

4. Procedure

4.1 Initial Report

When a person is reported missing, the following information must be collected:

  - Full name and age.

  - Physical and clothing description.

  - Last known address and location missing from.

  - Circumstances of disappearance.

  - Contact details of the informant.

  - Vehicle or transport details.

  - Medical requirements and risks.

  - Potential locations and individuals who might have contact with the missing person.

4.2 Initial Assessment

Questions to determine the urgency of the situation:

  - Why is there concern for the missing person?

  - What are the out-of-character factors?

  - Previous missing incidents and patterns.

  - Medical needs and potential victimization factors.

  - Risk of self-harm, suicide, or harm to others.

  - Likelihood of travelling far or abroad.

  - Other relevant information to their absence.

4.3 Response Protocol

No Apparent Risk (Absent): Agree on actions with the informant and set a review time.  

Low Risk: Conduct proportionate inquiries to find out what may have happened. If necessary, escalate to amber status and inform the local Handcrafted support team.

Medium Risk: Implement an active response, involving necessary agencies. escalate to amber or red status and inform the local Handcrafted support team.

High Risk: Deploy immediate resources and involve senior management. Escalate to red status and inform the local Handcrafted support team.

In all cases, a timely record of the concerns and decisions taken should be made on a trainee or resident’s database record and their local support team updated.

4.4 Safeguarding and Multi-Agency Collaboration

• Assess the need for a Safeguarding Adults Concern with the local authority.
• Share information with relevant mental health services when self-harm is a concern.

1. Police and Legal Interface

• Police powers regarding entry and search are limited; however, in the case of our tenants, the licence agreement does allow Handcrafted staff to enter our properties when we have concerns for the welfare of tenants.
• In high-risk cases, it is important to liaise with law enforcement for an appropriate and legal response. Information collected in Section 5.1 must be available and will help staff to make a missing person’s report to the relevant police force.

5. Training

All Handcrafted staff will receive training on this policy and on recognizing signs that may indicate an increased risk of someone going missing.

6. Review and Reporting

All missing person incidents will be documented, and the policy will be reviewed annually or following any relevant incident to ensure continuous improvement.

The Handcrafted Safeguarding Steering Group will review incidents of missing persons as a regular agenda item on scheduled monthly meetings and ensure that any discussed improvements that could be made to our approach are communicated to teams and, if necessary, added to this policy.

7. Responsibilities

Employees: Report any concerns or incidents immediately to a designated officer.

Designated Officer (Safeguarding Lead or Hub Manager): Activate the missing person protocol and ensure compliance with this policy.

Senior Management: Oversee and provide resources for high-risk situations.

8. Contacts:

For contact details of local authorities and Handcrafted designated Officers, see Section 3: of the Handcrafted Safeguarding Adults Policy.