If a child placed with you does not return home when expected you should notify their social worker or the ‘out of hours’ team straight away.

Emergency Social Work Team (ESWT) - 01908 265545

Information about where the child was going, who with, when they should have returned, whether they have done this before and what might have caused them to do this will all help towards making a decision about what course of action should be taken.

A decision about contacting the police will be made if:

• The child’s whereabouts are unknown
• The reason for absence is unknown
• There is cause for concern for the child because of their vulnerability.

If the police are contacted, they may need to search your house and grounds. You should be aware of this and discuss with the police how they undertake this search taking into account the other children in your home.

If the police are contacted they will need information about the child.