Missing Student Procedure

Missing student

Attendance is monitored through our student management system (SMS), and parents/caregivers are notified of absences and/or patterns of absences. If a student doesn't arrive at school or goes missing during the day (including EOTC), we follow our usual absence monitoring procedures, which includes verifying the absence (i.e. checking there is no error with recording their attendance, or that the student has not gone home ill) and contacting parents/caregivers or emergency contacts. If we then have reason to be concerned, we take the following steps:

1. Determine when they were last seen and if they have been picked up by a parent/caregiver. Ensure all other students are safe, with at least one adult designated to monitor them.
   • If there is reason to believe a student may be missing due to a specific incident, such as a trespasser on school grounds or a kidnapping, we contact the police immediately.
2. Coordinate an immediate search.
   • If the student is found, determine if medical help is required. Notify the principal, searchers, and the parents/caregivers of the student as appropriate.
3. If the student is still missing after the initial search, nominated staff leave the immediate area with cellphones to search more widely, using vehicles if necessary. Staff who remain should continue to search the area.
   • If the student is found, determine if medical help is required. Notify the principal, searchers, and the parents/caregivers of the student as appropriate.
   • If the student is not found after searching for fifteen minutes, call the police for help. Follow police instructions and, if necessary, implement the crisis management procedure.
4. After the situation is resolved, record the incident, and debrief.

Student leaving without permission

If a student is seen leaving school without permission, we take the following steps immediately:

1. Ensure relevant staff are aware of the situation.
2. Follow the student to ensure their safety. Physical restraint may only be used by teachers and authorised staff members as a last resort if the student is at risk of imminent harm.
3. Office staff notify the principal and the parents/caregivers of the situation.
4. After the situation is resolved, record the incident, and debrief.

We inform parents/caregivers if their child leaves the school, even if they return promptly.

Student missing during emergency situation

If a student is missing during an emergency situation, such as during an evacuation or drill, we take the following steps:

1. Notify the principal immediately.
2. If it is safe, search the school buildings or area where the student was last seen.
   • If the student is found, determine if medical help is required. Notify the principal, searchers, and the parents/caregivers of the student.
   • If the student is not found, notify the police, relevant emergency personnel, and parents/caregivers immediately. Follow police instructions and, if necessary, implement the crisis management procedure.
3. After the situation is resolved, record the incident, and debrief. Notify WorkSafe if it is a notifiable event.

Related policies

• Crisis Management
• Evacuation
• Recording and Reporting Injuries and Illness
• Minimising Physical Restraint
• Rights of Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers

Release history: Term 4 2022, Term 2 2022, Term 3 2019, Term 3 2018

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Keywords: lost, hiding, running