Working with tamariki and rangatahi who are missing, or whose absence is unauthorised

Ngākau whakairo

How will I ensure the views and voice of te tamaiti or rangatahi are heard even while they are absent or missing?

Ngākau whakairo practice framework domain

Whai mātauranga

How do the knowledge and narratives of whānau or family help me better understand the situation for te tamaiti or rangatahi? What other knowledge and perspectives do I need to consider?

Whai mātauranga practice framework domain

Whai oranga

How does working together with te tamaiti, rangatahi, whānau or family help me understand the collective oranga that te tamaiti or rangatahi is part of? How will this deepen my understanding of oranga for te tamaiti or rangatahi?

Whai oranga practice framework domain

Whai pūkenga

How can I use my skills to understand why te tamaiti or rangatahi has gone missing? Is my reasoning considering the culture, gender, identity, age, development and disability needs for te tamaiti or rangatahi?

Whai pūkenga practice framework domain

Whai ākona

How will supervision help me reflect on the relationship I have with te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family and caregivers to ensure I have genuinely listened to their voices?

Whai ākona practice framework domain

When a tamaiti or rangatahi leaves their care arrangement without authority, we use the terms:

1. unauthorised absence – this is when a tamaiti or rangatahi leaves their care arrangement without permission (including when they neglect or refuse to return), and their location is known or quickly established
2. missing – this is when the whereabouts of a tamaiti or rangatahi is unknown, they can't be contacted and no-one significant to them knows where they are (they are considered missing until they are located, and their safety and wellbeing is established).

When a tamaiti or rangatahi is in the custody of the chief executive, the chief executive has the power to place them and the power to return them to their care arrangement. We have a responsibility to know where every tamaiti and rangatahi in our care is and that they are safe.

This must include:

• considering and discussing factors that impact on the risk for te tamaiti or rangatahi, including their age, health, behaviours, recent events, potential stressors or triggers and whether this is a regular behaviour or pattern
• making regular attempts to contact te tamaiti or rangatahi by phoning and texting
• contacting other people who know te tamaiti or rangatahi and might be able to advise about where they are or where they might be
• considering advising parents/guardians and whānau or family to:
  • ensure they are informed about significant events impacting upon the wellbeing of te tamaiti or rangatahi
  • seek their views and suggestions about where their tamaiti or rangatahi might be and how to find them and return them to their care arrangement
  • agree on how often we will update them on progress
• contacting people at places where te tamaiti or rangatahi was last seen or the places they were meant to be, the people they were last with and the people they were meant to be with.

You do not need to wait 24 hours to report a tamaiti or rangatahi missing. However, a tamaiti or rangatahi must meet the missing person criteria (set out above) and the factors above need to be considered before a report is made to the Police. If we believe there is an immediate risk to the safety of te tamaiti or rangatahi, we must consider them missing and urgently refer the matter to the Police, while continuing with the steps outlined below.

In addition, we must:

• record in CYRAS any enquiries made, and actions undertaken
• discuss and review with our supervisor what actions have been undertaken and what updated information we have about te tamaiti or rangatahi to decide whether they are missing or their absence is unauthorised, and follow the corresponding process (described below)
• record in CYRAS any determination about whether te tamaiti or rangatahi is missing or their absence is unauthorised.

As soon as it is determined that te tamaiti or rangatahi is missing, you must follow the missing person process. We must regularly review the steps taken and the decisions made and consider whether the process needs to change from unauthorised absence to missing person.

Policy: Case recording

If we know where te tamaiti or rangatahi is but they refuse to engage with us, we must:

• talk to their whānau or family about how to engage with them and how to return them to their care arrangement, or try to contact someone else who has a relationship with te tamaiti or rangatahi to find out their views about the best way to contact and engage with te tamaiti or rangatahi
• continue to try to contact and engage with them
• if required, access supports to address any immediate safety concerns
• consider, only when we have grave concerns for their safety or wellbeing, whether the use of detainment or removal is needed
• record in CYRAS:
  • the decision that the absence is unauthorised
  • enquiries made
  • actions undertaken.

If te tamaiti or rangatahi absconds from a youth justice placement where they are detained

If a tamaiti or rangatahi has been absent for an extended period or they are repeatedly absent from their care arrangement, we must review this.

Tamariki or rangatahi who go missing repeatedly

If we are not able to either locate te tamaiti or rangatahi or return them to their care arrangement then we must treat them as a missing person (see below).

If we identify that they were harmed, we must follow the relevant process with the support of our supervisor. This may include making a report of concern, requesting a medical assessment or making a police statement. It may also involve following other policies, such as for allegations of abuse, neglect or harm of tamariki by caregivers.

Policy: Allegations of harm (ill-treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation) of tamariki in care or custody

We must also:

• advise the previous caregiver if te tamaiti or rangatahi is not being returned to their care
• complete the Missing Person Located form (POL 67a) on CYRAS and email it to missing_persons@ot.govt.nz – if they are found outside of business hours, then the national contact centre will complete the form and advise the Police
• liaise with the caregiver social worker to ensure that the caregiver feels supported.

If we have found te tamaiti or rangatahi but they are not willing to leave where they have been and only when we have serious concerns for their safety and wellbeing, following discussion with our supervisor, we must consider contacting the Police to discuss removal. We do not have the power to do this ourselves. In these circumstances, and once their location is known, consider and apply the requirements for an unauthorised absence as above.