Children, Young People & Lost/Found Children
Children, Young People & Lost/Found Children
A lost child is both a welfare issue and a safeguarding situation.
Lost and found child procedures must be followed consistently. Reassure the child, keep them in an appropriate safe location, notify Control or the designated safeguarding route and use the approved reunification process. Never simply hand a child to an adult because they say they are the parent or guardian.
First contact+
Introduce yourself calmly, stay visible, avoid leading questions and find out only what is needed to help. Do not ask the child to walk around the venue looking for their family.
Safe supervision+
Follow the venue rule on where the child should wait and who should remain with them. Avoid unnecessary physical contact and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Reunification+
Use the approved verification process. If behaviour, identity or the child’s reaction creates concern, do not rush the handover; escalate to safeguarding management or police as required.
Missing child reports+
Pass accurate description, clothing, last known location and relevant information through the approved channel. Protect personal details from unnecessary public broadcast.
The safest person to release a child to is determined by the venue safeguarding procedure, not by who appears most confident.
Knowledge check
An adult arrives claiming a found child is theirs, but the child appears frightened. What should you do?
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