---

Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have disappeared from care in each year since 1997; what measures are in place to ensure children remain in care; what assessment has been made of where children go when they disappear from care; what measures are in place to try to keep track of their whereabouts; and if he will make a statement about the safety of children who disappear from care. [110784] Jacqui Smith: The number of children who were listed as being missing from care in England since 1997 is shown in the table. Excluding children looked after under a series of short-term placements, it is estimated that in 2001-02 some 82,200 children were looked after in public care at some time during the year. Estimated number of looked after children who went missing from their usual place of residence at any time during the years ending 31 March 1998 to 20021 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. England Number 1997-98 560 1998-99 550 1999-2000 540 2000-012 940 2001-022 960 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Data describes the number of children who went missing not the number of missing person's incidents by any one child. 2 With effect from 1 April 2000, the definition of missing was changed from being absent for more than seven days to being absent for 24 hours or more. Notes: This table excludes all children looked after under a series of short- term placements. "Children Missing from Care and Home--a guide to good practice" was issued to every English local authority in November 2002, under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, which means that, except in exceptional circumstances, councils must follow its advice. The guidance requires that where a child in care is assessed to be missing, the authority responsible for their care must ensure that all is being done to locate them and return them to a place of safety. Where there is reason for an authority to be concerned that a child may go missing at the time that a care placement is made, then the guidance recommends that the authority should ensure that there is a proper "risk assessment" as to the likelihood of that child going missing. This assessment should lead to action being taken to minimise any potential risk. Each local authority must appoint a senior manager to be responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of its missing from care protocols and procedures.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

110784; 404 c651-2W;404 c647-8W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Children Children in care Protection Missing persons Safety Runaway children

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk