A missing person is defined in the National Missing Persons Framework (2017) as, anyone whose whereabouts are unknown and:
- where the circumstances are out of character or,
- the context suggests the person may be subject to crime, or
- the person is at risk of harm to themselves or others
It is critical to the success of this protocol that this definition is embedded into single agency policies and procedures.
Background
In May 2017, the Scottish Government published the National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland (NMPF) that set out the following four objectives:
- Prevention
- Respond
- Support
- Protect
In January 2021, Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Committee identified the implementation of the Scottish Governments NMPF as a priority. Dumfries and Galloway have been working in partnership with the Missing People’s Charity to support this implementation.
Purpose and aim of this protocol
This protocol is for all practitioners who would be involved in the prevention, response, support, and protection of people, which includes both children and adults, who are at risk of or go missing.
Every year Police Scotland receive over 30,000 calls reporting people missing and all agencies recognise a robust and consistent partnership approach is critical to prevent people going missing in the first place and to locate them as quickly as possible when missing.
Our aim within this protocol is to build on existing good work already being undertaken in Dumfries and Galloway in relation to missing people and:
- prevent people from going missing in the first place, and
- limit the harm associated with people going missing
Download the protocol
The protocol covers:
- an understanding of why people go missing
- risk assessments
- information sharing
- process
- single and multi-agency roles and responsibilities
- information on return discussions
- missing people’s charity resources
The national missing persons framework (2017)
The framework provides a focus for all agencies with an interest in missing people to work together.
Read the national missing persons framework - mygov.scot
Return Discussion eLearning training
A Return Discussion is an opportunity to support the individual who has gone missing and identify any underlying causes, including any ongoing risk of harm and an opportunity to refer the individual to appropriate support services.
To find out about training in this, then contact us.