Philomena Protocol
What is the Philomena Protocol?
The Philomena Protocol is a scheme that asks carers to identify children and young people who are at risk of going missing, and to record vital information about them that can be used to help find them quickly and safely.
The carer adds details about the young person to the Philomena Protocol form which includes:
- a physical description
- who their friends are
- a recent photograph
- whether they've gone missing before
By completing the form with the child or young person, the care provider has the opportunity to discuss, better understand and address any underlying factors that may be prompting or influencing missing episodes so the underlying causes can be identified and addressed.
Where can I find the form?
Further down this page, you can find a blank form that you can download. Once complete, the form is owned by the care provider or local authority.
When do I fill in a form?
If you're concerned that a young person might go missing, fill in parts 1 to 4 of the form as soon as possible. Please make sure you review the details and keep them up to date.
When should the form be given to the police?
We only need to see the completed form if the child or young person is reported missing.
Where should the form be kept?
The form should be stored securely on your computer system where you, or any other carer, can find it quickly at any time. You should also regularly back up the form, ideally using password protected online storage so you're not relying on an individual computer.
The form will only need to be sent to the police if the child or young person goes missing.
Please note it is the responsibility of the person/agency completing and the recipient to protect the information from theft and compromise. The form and the information contained in it must be securely stored.
What if the child or young person goes missing?
If you discover the child or young person has gone missing, you should take reasonable steps to try and find them:
- See if you can contact by phone, text and social media
- Search the place they were expected to be and the place they were last seen
- Contact their family and/or friends
- Visit locations and addresses they are likely to be (if safe to do so)
- Allow them a reasonable period to return of their own accord
If you are still unable to locate the child or young person, call 101 and tell us that you have a Philomena Protocol form.
If it's an emergency and the young person is in danger, phone 999 immediately.
What do I need to do if a child or young person leaves my care setting?
The Philomena Protocol is used in many areas nationally, so please transfer the form to the new carer, who will be responsible for keeping it safe and up to date.
Similarly, if a young person transfers to your care from another area, check whether they have an existing Philomena Protocol in place that you would now be responsible for.