National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland

Why have this Framework?

The Scottish Government continues to work with partners to develop and deliver far-reaching policies in relation to education, employment, mental health, children and families sexual exploitation and a range of other areas. These policies are already helping to address some of the difficult underlying issues which can lead to people going missing in the first place - yet, until now, no policy intervention has been targeted specifically for missing people.

In the absence of an overarching national framework, there has been a limited sharing of the excellent practice that has been developed locally. That is not a criticism of existing practice itself, rather, it is recognition that, by sharing this practice through a national framework and by creating a national shared aim, we will achieve better outcomes for people and their families across Scotland.

Many organisations are involved in work relating to missing people. Depending on the circumstances, these may include local authority social work departments, Police Scotland, housing providers, hospitals, care homes for the elderly, children's homes, schools, or a range of third sector organisations which support vulnerable people, communities and victims of crime. Our national overarching Framework will therefore allow organisations to work collectively to deliver our shared aim in practical ways.