HILLINGDON MANOR SCHOOL

PUPIL ABSCONDING & GOING MISSING POLICY

Definition

Pupils with autistic spectrum disorder can exhibit unpredictable behaviours if they are suffering anxiety. One of the behaviours presented can be running away and trying to leave the school environment. This will become apparent if the pupil disappears from their class, the playground, or any other part of the environment for more than the time expected for them to visit the toilet, deliver or collect something from the administration area. Their non return will give rise to concern and the following procedures will occur.

Aims

Hillingdon Manor School provides a safe secure environment from which pupils/students will not feel the need to want to run away. The clear, consistent language structure set out in the Promoting Good Behaviour Policy supports pupils in seeking adult support to problem solve over upsets which could lead to a pupil absconding.

Hillingdon Manor School provides a safe secure environment through a thorough risk assessment of each pupil/student. If there is a risk of absconding or going missing, specific strategies will be put in place to manage this behaviour and eliminate it over time.

Hillingdon Manor School provides a physically secure environment through secure fencing around the perimeter area of the school grounds around the Manor and Yiewsley Grange. Pupils who have lessons in The Lawns are supervised during the movement from one building to another, unless there is an agreement with them (KS4 and 5 only) that they are allowed to move independently. The admin team supervise the opening of the main school door and have clear instructions on which pupils are allowed out on their own. This will be monitored regularly to ensure it remains safe. All playtimes are supervised closely with particular reference to keeping pupils within the school environs, as well as the entrance to the lawns.

Hillingdon Manor School provides a physically secure environment through use of a fob entry/exit system on the main entrance door of the school. If a staff member notices that a pupil is missing from a lesson, without prior notice then corridor support will be asked to ascertain their whereabouts. If the pupil is not found after a thorough search of the premises then a senior member of staff will be informed. A decision will be made based on the information on the individual student involved and any agreement that has been made with parents regarding absconding.

Guidance

If a pupil does not return from an unsupervised toilet visit or errand within the school after five minutes, a member of staff will go and look for them. If that member of staff cannot find the pupil/student within five minutes then assistance will be called from other members of staff.

All pupils/students have a photograph on file which can be handed to the police if they do go missing or abscond. There is also a ‘pen picture’ of the pupils, outlining their behaviour and language ability which can be passed to all staff and the police, if they become involved. These details are kept in the pupil’s class file in their tutor base. They are also saved on the shared drive.

If a pupil, with no prior history of absconding, does go missing or absconds and cannot be found through a thorough search of the buildings and grounds around the school, then the senior member of staff will call the police and parents will be informed.

While the police are being called, four members of staff will start a search of the local area. Two will go on foot in different directions and two will travel in cars in different directions. They will investigate the land and roads around the immediate school area.

The staff searching will carry pen pictures of the pupil. These will be used to gain help from members of the public who may have seen, or may see the pupil. Staff searching outside the school will carry mobile phones to keep in touch with the school. In school, the phones will be manned at all times until the pupil is found.

When the police arrive, the senior member of staff on duty will give the police copies of the pupil’s details and photograph. They will reinforce this with a verbal explanation and any other relevant information related to the pupil at the time they went missing/absconded.

Parents will be updated regarding the procedure being followed and the results of any search at regular intervals.

When the pupil is found, there will be a thorough investigation of how the pupil escaped from the building. Any weaknesses in the system of pupil security will be remedied effectively.

The pupil going missing/absconding policy will be scrutinised in the light of the experience to ensure it is as effective as possible. The individual risk assessment and behaviour support plan will be reviewed to take the incident into account. This information will be shared with staff and parents.

Advice to staff on trips in Guidance document:

Pupils becoming separated from the group.
(Running away from the group) / ·  Staff and pupils will go around establishment as one group
·  Pupils will remain with allocated adult at all times when walking to and from the minibus/ school vehicle and into establishment.
·  Staff agree at start of trip, a place, where all staff will meet with pupils in order for staff to look for missing pupil
·  Take PEN PICTURES of the pupils with us. Pen pictures will be given to those in authority who will help search for the pupil.
·  When staff realises that a pupils is lost he/she will tell or phone Trip leader and vice versa, and inform them of the pupil missing, giving details of when and where they were last seen and then say they are going to look for the pupil.
·  Trip leader will inform all staff of the incident and to meet with their pupils at the agreed meeting point.
·  Remain calm.
·  If a pupil does attempt to run away, they will be support to an area that is safe for them to calm down, and once they are calm, school will be contacted to inform them of the incident. Trip will continue is possible or the school will be contacted and informed that the class are returning to the school and the reason why
·  Incident sheets/reports will be written on arrival back at school and parent of pupil will be informed.
·  Head Teacher /Deputy to be informed as soon as possible when the incident has occurred so as to support the staff team with further action.
·  If the pupil has absconded, phone THE MANOR (01895 813679) or YIEWSLEY GRANGE (01895420315) and the police (999) if necessary.
·  All staff to be aware of absconding child policy.

Policy Written: September 2010

Staff member responsible: Akinyi Dulo

Review date: October 2013