Oaks International Education Ltd

                                                                               Missing Student Policy

                                                                                          Statement

​

This policy is designed to be implemented in cases where students are believed to be absent or
missing from the care of Oaks International Education Ltd. The purpose of the policy is to
locate the student by the safest and fastest means possible.
Oaks International Education Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and young people.
This policy is required to ensure that missing or absent students (who are not under the duty of
care of the school), are subject to an appropriate response by Oaks International Education
Ltd. This is to ensure that children are found and returned to an approved location as soon as
practicable.
The benefits of this policy are that all reports or missing/absent people will be recorded. The
policy provides a model and framework for response and dealing with incidents dependent on
the risk posed. This policy is applicable to all staff members who may become involved in the
initial stages of a report of a missing child or young person.
Oaks International Education Ltd will respond appropriately to reports of missing and absent
persons. Every report will be risk assessed so that those who are vulnerable or represent a high
risk will be immediately identified. This process shall be on-going, dynamic and supervised in
each and every case with a focus on locating the person safely and mitigating any risk posed to
others. Where criminality is associated with either the initial disappearance or subsequent
harbouring of those who wish to remain absent, this will be reported to the police.
Definitions:
Oaks International Education Ltd adoption of distinct definitions to determine whether
someone is missing or absent is in accordance with the National Police Chiefs Council
definitions (issued by ACPO in 2013).
The following definitions are included within the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership
protocols:
Absent – a child or young person is not at a place where they are expected or required to be
and there is no apparent risk

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Missing – a child or young person whose whereabouts cannot be established and where the
circumstances are out of character, or the context suggests the person may be subject of crime
or at risk of harm to themselves or another.
Supporting Reference Documents:

NSPCC publications
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
Safeguarding Children and Young People from CSE 2009
Scoping Report on Missing and Abducted Children – CEOP
Local Safeguarding Children Board Protocols – Reporting children who go missing from care
Statutory Guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care – DfE 2014
Children Missing Education:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/550416/
Children_Missing_Education_-_statutory_guidance.pdf
Procedure:
This workflow applies when a young person is absent (they are not where they are supposed to
be but there is no apparent risk) or when they are missing (unexpected and uncharacteristic
absence which causes concern for their safety). It applies when they are under the care of Oaks
International Education Ltd during journeys around the UK organised by us . The DSL shall
manage any cases of absent or missing children or young people, and as such all reports must
be bought to the attention of the DSL.
Contact details for the DSL
Job title Name Telephone/ Email
DSL Leelee Oh Telephone:07377 926 888
Email:rebecca.uk@gaec.top

Oaks International Education Ltd 24hr Emergency

Leelee Oh Telephone:07377 926 888
Email : Rebecca.uk@gaec.top

If a child or young person goes missing out of hours and Oaks International Education Ltd
receives a report then the on duty manger is responsible for ensuring the completion of the

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initial reasonable enquiries where a student is absent/missing during an event (for example
half term, exeat or during a suspension/expulsion) which will include:
- if appropriate, reviewing the flight and transfer details (with communication to the airline and
transfer company to confirm transport arrangements for the student)
- texting, emailing and phoning the student (leaving a message if no answer) asking them to
make contact with the on duty member of staff and repeating this contact every 30 minutes
- texting, emailing and phoning the house parent to collate any relevant information about the
whereabouts of the student – this is only possible if the houseparent is at school.
- texting, emailing and phoning the parent/agent to collate any relevant information about the
whereabouts of the student
- texting, emailing and phoning local coordinator to collate any relevant information about the
whereabouts of the student, along with any contact details we may not be aware of
- review of information held on file which may indicate friends or associates who the student
may be with.
Any member of staff may report a child or young person as absent or missing to the police
where they have genuine concerns for their safety.
Following a risk assessment, the receiving police force will record a report of absent or missing
where there are grounds to do so. In cases of missing children or young people, the police will
work cooperatively with Children’s Social Care staff during any enquiry.
The incident lead is responsible for ensuring the school is informed of any report made to the
police of an absent or missing child or young person, as the school retains the overall duty of
care. The school should be updated with any developments as they should know the
whereabouts of the student at all times, especially those on visas.
The incident lead is responsible for ensuring that the parents/agent are informed of any report
made to the police of an absent or missing child or young person. The parents/agent should be
regularly updated (recommended a minimum of every 4 hours) with any developments. This is
to ensure that they are fully informed as to the situation involving their son or daughter.
All missing person reports are to be reviewed by DSL as soon as practicable with subsequent
on-going daily review until the incident is resolved.
Process and Response – report of a missing child
1. A child or young person who falls into the ‘Missing’ Category must be reported to the police
as soon as possible by telephoning 101 for a non-emergency report or 999 for an emergency
response i.e. information received that a child or young person is in immediate danger of harm.
YOU WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE FORCE RELEVANT TO THE
AREA THE CHILD IS MISSING/ABSENT FROM.

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IF CALLING 999 YOU WILL NEED TO TELL THE CALL HANDLER TO STAY ON THE LINE, WHILE 
YOU ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE RELEVANT FORCE.
If the report to the police is not made by the DSL, then the reporter must inform the DSL of the
situation as soon as possible.
2. The DSL will ensure that the following information is gathered for the initial report to the
police:
• Name, date of birth and nationality of the child or young person;
• The specific concern for the child or young person;
• Whether they are likely to be subjected to crime, a victim of abuse or at risk of sexual
exploitation;
• Whether the child or young person is likely to attempt suicide;
• Whether the child or young person likely to pose a danger to other people;
• What actions have been completed so far to locate the child or young person;
• A description of the child or young person, including their build, hair, clothing and glasses;
• Details of when the child or young person was last seen and with whom;
• Personal details of the child or young person (including any medical conditions or ailments);
• Any previous history of absconding/absenteeism and circumstances of where found;
• The circumstances under which the child or young person is absent;
• Any factors which increase the risk to the child or young person;
• UK Oaks address.
Information that may be needed later to extend investigations if the young person is not
located:
• A recent photograph (if available);
• Family addresses and contact telephone numbers;
• Known associates, telephone numbers and addresses frequented;
• The names and addresses of the child or young person’s GP and dentist;
• The circumstances under which the child or young person is absent;
• Any factors which increase the risk to the child or young person;
• School and House Parent addresses and contact details
• Details of any travel and accommodation plans authorised by the overseas parents;
• Details of any social media accounts that may be open to the public;
• Oaks International Education Ltd students are advised to download the Safe Knight tracking
app, which is accessible by the police, so they should be advised there is a possibility the
student is using this.
3. The incident must be recorded as an incident report file with regular updates being added
until the matter has been resolved. If a police report has been made, the police incident
reference number must be recorded. A record of all emails should be included in the incident
report file.

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4. Following the report to the police, the parents, the agent (if applicable) and school must be
informed and requested to contact DSL without delay if the child or young person makes
contact.
Process and Response – report of an absent child
1. If a child or young person is considered to fall within the definition of absent, the decision to
record the child as such, together with the evidence supporting that decision must be
recorded. The absence of a child or young person must be recorded in the Student File as an
‘incident’.
2. Details of children or young people who are absent should still be notified to the police
(using the non-emergency telephone number 101 or the emergency telephone number 999) in
order that a record of the child or young person’s absence can be made, an agreement can be
reached on what needs to be done, review times and on-going actions. Although there is an
expectation that Oaks International Education Ltd should continue to make reasonable
enquiries to locate the child or young person, the police may also initiate some enquiries as
appropriate.
3. The DSL will notify the school and parents/agent of the incident, and regularly provide
updates to both parties (minimum every 4 hours) with news of any developments, or
confirmation that there have been no developments since the last update. This also affords an
opportunity for the school or parents/agent to update the DSL with any contact they may have
had from the student or other information received. All updates provided to the school and
parents/agent must be recorded in the incident record.
4. Oaks International Education Ltd staff will constantly review the circumstances in the light
of any enquiries made or information received, and inform the police of any developments by
telephoning 101, quoting the reference number and providing the new information received. If
the period of absence continues for six hours, consideration should be given as to whether the
child should still be regarded as absent, or whether they should now be considered as missing.
Six hours should be regarded as the maximum period before reconsideration, and in many
cases a shorter period would be more appropriate.
5. Any case of an absent child or young person which causes significant concern, or gives rise to
the suspicion of harm, should be brought to the attention of the Designated Safeguarding
Leads without delay and should be reviewed with a view to the possibility that this is a missing
child or young person.
Informing the media
The Police are responsible for advising the media regarding children or young people who are
reported as missing. The decision to publicise these matters will always be made in
consultation with the parents who have to give their signed consent before the media are able
to circulate the details. As such, no member of Oaks International Education Ltd should
release any details to the media and must refer any contact from them directly to the relevant
force’s Media Relations Office.

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The Return
1. The police are responsible for ensuring that the child or young person reported missing has
returned safe and well, and has an opportunity to disclose any relevant issues in the return
interview.
2. Where a child or young person has been reported as absent to the police they will not be
given a return interview. In such cases, a Oaks International Education Ltd member of staff will
conduct the return interview to allow the child or young person an opportunity to talk to
someone about their absence.
3. Where an allegation of any form of child abuse is made or becomes evident, child protection
procedures must be implemented and immediate contact must be made with the police child
protection team and the Local Authority Child Protection Service where the child is living.
4. If there is any suggestion that the child has been a victim or perpetrator of crime,
consideration must be given to securing evidence by police including by forensic examination.
This should also include securing clothing and delaying washing/bathing in relevant cases. Staff
must remember that all necessary permissions must be obtained from the child or young
person’s parents and/or those with parental responsibility. The priority is to recognise that the
welfare of the child or young person is paramount and careful consideration must be given to
the potential effects of such procedures of the child or young person.
5. Any persons informed of the child or young person’s absence should be advised of the child
or young person’s return without delay including the school and parent/agent.
6. For a child or young person who has been reported as absent or missing on two or more
occasions, Oaks International Education Ltd will decide in consultation with others, whether a
formal review of the guardianship is required.
Children Missing Education
As explained in Keeping Children Safe in Education, all staff and UK Oaks accommodation/Guardian
should be aware that children going missing from education, particularly repeatedly, can act as a
vital warning sign of a range of safeguarding possibilities. This may include abuse and neglect, which
may include sexual abuse or exploitation and can also be a sign of child criminal exploitation
including involvement in county lines. It may indicate mental health problems, risk of substance
abuse, risk of travelling to conflict zones, risk of female genital mutilation, ‘honour’-based abuse or
risk of forced marriage. Early intervention is necessary to identify the existence of any underlying
safeguarding risk and to help prevent the risks of a child going missing in future.’ Should Oaks
International Education Ltd become aware that a student in their care is missing from education,
they will notify the school or college that the student attends immediately.
Children Missing Education (Sept 2025) is statutory guidance that sets out key principles to enable
local authorities in England to implement their legal duty under section 436A of the Education Act
1996 to make arrangements to identify, as far as it is possible to do so, children missing education
(CME).
Children Missing Education explains that:

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‘Children missing education (CME) are children of compulsory school age who are not registered
pupils at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise than at a school.’
‘Regardless of their circumstances, the law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an
efficient, full-time education which is suitable to their:

o age
o ability
o aptitude
o any special educational needs they may have

This may include suitable education through regular attendance at school, alternative provision
or otherwise (for example, EHE).
CME are at significant risk of underachieving, having poorer health outcomes, being victims of
harm, exploitation or radicalisation, and becoming not in education, employment or training
(NEET) later in life.
No single individual at a school, local authority or related service can have a full picture of a
child’s needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right
time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns,
sharing information and taking prompt action to help in the identification and support of CME.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. In order to fulfil
this responsibility effectively, all individuals involved in identifying and supporting CME should
make sure their approach is child centred.’