Missing Persons Policy

This policy outlines how we 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 will be reviewed as required and at least annually by the group or individual responsible for review and authorised by the Trustees as below:

Group or individual responsible for review	The Safeguarding Steering Group
Last review and approval	16/10/2024

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.

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.

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:

• Absence from scheduled activities
• Concerns raised by colleagues or peers
• Unexpected lack of communication
• Unusual behaviour prior to disappearance
• Alerts from family or friends
• Social media posts or absence
• Personal belongings left behind
• Distress signals (notes, emails, or concerning behaviour)
• Reports from authorities
• Environmental indicators

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:

• 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

Procedure

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

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 victimisation factors
• Risk of self-harm, suicide, or harm to others
• Likelihood of travelling far or abroad
• Other relevant information

Response Protocol

• No Apparent Risk (Absent): Agree on actions with the informant and set a review time
• Low Risk: Conduct proportionate inquiries; escalate if needed; inform local support team
• Medium Risk: Implement active response; escalate to amber/red; inform support team
• High Risk: Deploy immediate resources and involve senior management; escalate to red

All actions and concerns must be recorded on the person’s database record and the local support team must be informed.

Safeguarding and Multi-Agency Collaboration

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

Police and Legal Interface

• Police powers of entry are limited; however, Handcrafted’s licence agreement allows staff to enter properties when welfare concerns arise.
• In high-risk cases, liaise with law enforcement and provide information collected in the initial report.

Training

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

Review and Reporting

All missing person incidents will be documented. The policy will be reviewed annually or after any significant incident.

The Handcrafted Safeguarding Steering Group will review missing person incidents in monthly meetings and ensure any recommended improvements are implemented and added to this policy where necessary.

Responsibilities

• Employees: Report concerns or incidents immediately to a designated officer
• Designated Officer (Safeguarding Lead or Hub Manager): Activate the protocol and ensure compliance
• Senior Management: Oversee and provide resources for high-risk situations

Contacts

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