An Absconding Guidance sheet has been created by the Health and Safety Service which outlines expectations and procedures for managing incidents where pupils leave school premises without permission.
Absconding refers to any incident where a pupil leaves the school site unaccompanied and without staff knowledge. Schools have a legal duty of care to prevent such occurrences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Key measures covered in the Guidance:
- Physical security measures
- Risk assessment
- Staff training and protocols
- Design considerations
- Incident reporting
- Funding for improvements
- Specific scenarios
- Return and reintegration
