Procedures

• Where a child leaves a Residential Group home or outing without permission
• 'Missing'
• 'Unaccounted for'
• Factors to consider when completing the assessment
• Returning to the residential care home

Where a child leaves a Residential Group home or outing without permission

• If attempts to persuade the child to remain at the home or with the group are not successful residential care workers should:  
• Accompany the child and try to persuade them to return, if safe to do so. 
• Failing this, try to discover their intended destination (this also applies when a child is on a supervised activity and leaves without permission) and engage in safety planning.
• When the child has left and you cannot locate them, complete a final search, and call the child on their phone. 
• Record the child's absence in the LogBook – include the time the absence was noted, circumstances, actions taken, description of clothing worn, people notified, any follow up required. Document possible options for the child's whereabouts. 
• Complete the risk assessment tool.    
• Whilst a child remains absent, residential care staff must continue to actively attempt to contact the child. 
• If contact is made, record in the log-book, case notes, and advise the Case Manager/ Crisis Care Unit if location is known.
• Staff are to encourage the child to engage in safety planning and keep communication open with the house, with a view to returning.   
• Place all records in the child's Objective Residential Care placement file. 
• Complete SOLVSAFETY record if the incident has caused an increased stress response

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'Missing'

• If the Residential Care Worker makes a recommendation the child or young person is 'missing', the Residential Care Worker must seek the approval of their line manager (or on call manager).
• The Residential Care Worker is to send the completed Risk Assessment tool to the Case Worker or Crisis Care (if after hours). After hours the completed Risk Assessment Tool should be emailed to Crisis Care at: CPFrontDesk_MS-CC_Crisis_Care@communities.wa.gov.au.
• The Residential Care Worker should also make attempts to call the Case Worker (or Crisis Care if after hours) to advise them of their recommendation and the child or young person's circumstances.
• The Case Worker or Crisis Care Worker will make an assessment as to whether the child or young person is 'missing' based on the information and will call WA Police and forward the Risk Assessment Tool as required.

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'Unaccounted for'

If the child or young person is determined to be 'unaccounted for' by the Residential Care Worker, a copy of the Risk Assessment Tool should be sent to the Case Worker (or Crisis Care if after hours).

If needed, make contact with the Case Worker (or Crisis Care if after hours) to discuss.

If the Case Worker (or Crisis Care if after hours) needs to discuss this, they will contact the Residential Care Worker directly.


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Factors to consider when completing the assessment

• ​is young (i.e. aged 12-years or younger) or otherwise particularly vulnerable (e.g. intellectually or developmentally vulnerable);
• may be, or is, suicidal or has a history of recent suicidal  ideation or Non-Suicidal self Injury behaviour;
•  is highly distressed and/or has mental health issues;
•  may be affected by alcohol and/or other drugs;
•  is sick, injured or reliant on medication; 
• has stated intent to harm others; 
• has a recent history of serious offending or stated the intent to commit a crime; 
• is known to be in the company of someone of concern – for example, the person has a history of serious offending or inappropriate relationship with the child; 
• is young or otherwise particularly vulnerable; 
• is known to be in a situation where imminent harm may be possible (i.e. getting into a unapproved vehicle)

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Returning to the residential care home

• When a child or young person is located Residential Care Workers must check if the child or young person requires immediate medical attention. 
• When the child or young person has been 'missing' Residential Care Workers should immediately contact the child or young person's Case Worker (or Crisis Care) to notify them and discuss the child or young person's circumstances, support, and any required safety planning. 
• Additionally, and when an 'unaccounted for' child or young person is located, Residential Care Workers should complete the relevant part/s of Section 4 (Child or young person is located) of the Risk Assessment Tool and record information about the child or young person's circumstances. Residential Care Workers should email this information to the Case Worker (or Crisis Care if after hours).
• At the appropriate time staff are to carry out a Life Space Interview with the child about their absence.  This may include reviewing the child's self-care plan with them. This is to try to determine the trigger for the child that led to them leaving. Review the child's Individual Crisis Support Plan and make recommendations to update if needed.  

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