Back to All Policies

Missing Children

Procedures if a Child Goes Missing During Club Activities

Emergency Procedures

In the rare case that a child goes missing, immediate action must be taken. Coaches and managers must follow the procedures outlined below.

Immediate Actions - Coaches and Managers Will:

  • Ensure other children in their care are looked after appropriately while they organise a search for the child concerned.
  • Inform the child's parents, if they are present at the event, or nominate an appropriate person to telephone them and advise of the concern. Reassure the parents that best efforts are being made to locate their child.
  • Organise all available responsible adults by areas to be searched. It is best to take a short time to organise the search properly so that all places are searched fully
  • Send searchers immediately to any exits to the venue to ensure the child has not left, and to any obvious potential danger spots such as nearby lakes or rivers.
  • Search the area in which the child has gone missing including changing rooms, toilets, public and private areas and the club's grounds.
  • Request all those searching to report back to a nominated adult at a specific point.
  • This nominated person should remain at this reference point and make a note of events, including a detailed physical description of the child.
    • This should include approximate height, build, hair and eye colour as well as the clothing the child was wearing and where and when they were last seen. All this will be required by the police.

If the Search is Unsuccessful - Police Will Be Contacted:

  • A report should go to the police no later than 20 minutes after the child's disappearance is noted, even if the search is not complete
  • If the police recommend further action before they get involved, follow their guidance
  • If the police act upon the concern, always be guided by them in any further actions to take.
  • At any stage when the child is located, ensure you inform all adults involved including the parents, searchers and the police if, by then, they are involved
  • All missing child incidents MUST be notified at the very earliest opportunity to the Club Welfare Officer, who must immediately notify the County Welfare Officer, and they must then notify the Safeguarding Team

Key Timelines

  • •Immediate: Begin organized search and inform parents
  • •Within 20 minutes: Contact police if child not found
  • •As soon as possible: Notify Club Welfare Officer

Emergency Contact Information

Club Welfare Officer must be notified immediately of any missing child incident.

Name: Henrietta Thornton

Email: henriettathornton@hotmail.co.uk

Phone: 01753 857834

Last updated: December 2025