The Philomena Protocol Information

Nothing is more worrying or distressing than when a young person goes missing and does not return home when expected.

The Philomena Protocol is a Police initiative to help locate and safely return a young person as quickly as possible when they are missing. The basis of the scheme is for vital information about the young person to be recorded on a form so that this can be used to help locate them safely and quickly.

The form should then be stored safely - either in electronic format on a computer, or a printed version. It may need to be located quickly, at any time of day or night, by the person who needs the information to begin the initial searches. When the form is complete, it will contain confidential information about a person so it should be stored securely.

Any partner agency required to complete the form will become the owner of the data and must store it appropriately. The form can be obtained from www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/ philomena-protocol. The police will only ask for a copy of the form, or the information in the form, if the person is reported missing.

Working in Partnership to locate and return the young person quickly and safely.

When should I complete the form?

Part 1 - As soon as possible.
Part 2 - In the event that the young person goes missing.

What should I do if the young person goes missing?

Please keep it in a safe location where you can find it quickly. The police will
only ask for a copy of it if the person it refers to has been reported missing.

What should I do if the young person goes missing?

You should make enquiries straight away to try and locate them. If you cannot
locate them then you should call 101 and ask for the police - have your
Philomena Protocol Forms to hand. In an emergency you should dial 999.

I Don't understand some terms on the form, what should I do?

Don’t worry, just complete as much as you can.

What will the police do with the information?

We will use the information along with the carer to help find the young person.

What should I do to help the police locate the young person?

You should make enquiries yourself prior to police attending and also while the
young person is missing. You should work in partnership with the police to trace the young person as quickly as possible.

How will I know where to look for the young person?

As the carer you should have completed a list of known locations and
associates where the young person may go as well as contact details. This
should be completed on the Philomena form and securely kept.

How will the police know how I am going to help them locate the young person?

You should discuss with the officer what enquiries you are going to do, how
often you will contact people and how you will update the police that you have
done this.

How will the police record the enquiries I have completed?

The Police will record this on the missing person’s report along with who has
completed the enquiry and the time that it was completed.