“It is shocking to read this morning the reports of more than 50 children who are currently unaccounted for in the school system in Northern Ireland, with more than 20 from one school.
It is, however, an increasingly worrying issue, one that my office and I have been concerned about this for some time – that children are fundamentally missing. This is a matter I have consistently raised with the Department of Education and Education Authority, as it not only impacts their education and learning but also raises much broader safeguarding concerns.
Questions must be raised as to how long these children have been ‘missing’ for, and if the systems in place are as effective as they can be. The sharing of information is crucial across agencies and relevant authorities, particularly when it comes to safeguarding children and young people. There must be further ‘joining up’ of agencies, particularly between health, education and the PSNI, relating to child protection.
NICCY is currently undertaking research into why children are missing education which is due to be published next Autumn. Already at this stage, there are a variety of reasons as to why children are missing from school, and missing schooling, which we want to understand much more about, and how they can be supported.”
