To ask the Minister of Education why the Education Authority or his Department were not involved in the Interface Protocol for children reported missing, as developed between Health and Social Care Northern Ireland and the PSNI.

The Protocol is set out in two main sections and is not inclusive of Children Missing in Education. The protocol focuses on Missing Children; and General Policing Response to Incidents involving Children in Residential Children’s Homes. The Protocol also complements existing guidance in relation to child protection, Protocol for Joint Investigation (2014), Planning for Looked After Children and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People.

This protocol covers all children who go missing, and who give rise for concern to the PSNI and / or to Health & Social Care Trusts. This includes children in the community with family, children in need known to Trusts, and children in care.

The Education Authority was consulted on the document as a member of the Safeguarding Board NI (SBNI)

The ‘protocol’ makes a valuable contribution to Education based ‘Children Missing in Education’ policy development which will focus on early identification of children missing or educated in other provisions in advance of Trust or PSNI involvement.